HSBC puts banking on the palm of a customer’s hand

HSBC announced the launch of HSBCnet Mobile, a new mobile platform that enables corporate executives to check account balances and statements, authorize payment instructions and receive payment alerts using their smart phones.

To signify the launch, the first payment authorization was performed by Laugfs Holdings Limited Group Chairman W. K. H. Wegapitiya in the presence of HSBC Sri Lanka and Maldives CEO Nick Nicolaou, HSBC Head of Payments and Cash Management Sohantha Wijesingha and other bank representatives.

Under this global channel, titled ‘HSBCnet Mobile - Banking in the palm of your hand,’ all HSBCnet corporate customers will be able to conveniently access a select set of HSBCnet services that includes account balance information in all currencies directly from their mobile devices, wherever they are based in and in whatever time zone.

They could also view account statements; authorize priority payments, inter account transfers and ACH credits; receive notification of payments requiring authorization, while on the go.

Nick Nicolaou, commenting on the launch of HSBCnet Mobile stated, “We are pleased to have launched HSBCnet Mobile in Sri Lanka with the execution of the first payment authorization being made by Laugfs Holdings Limited today. HSBCnet Mobile is the fastest growing mobile banking platform globally. The results have been phenomenal with over $500 million in payments authorized in Asia Pacific and over $1.2 billion globally, since the launch of HSBCnet Mobile in November last year. We hope our customers will find this solution beneficial and more convenient in the way they continue to do business.”

The streamlined interface has been specifically designed for use on certain mobile devices such as the iPhone, Android and Blackberry smart phones.

This complimentary value added service can also be accessed via the phones’ default web browser with no added applications or installation required, and security is assured by use of the customers’ existing HSBC Net security token password device.

Hence, the user is given a simplified way of accessing their corporate account balances, payments and alerts at the touch of a fingertip, where ever they may be in the world.

Commenting on the innovative solution, Laugfs Holdings Group Chairman W. K. H. Wegapitiya stated, “We are constantly fighting against time to operate in a fast paced world that is rapidly evolving. As a result, we seek convenient channels to meet our changing business needs and HSBCnet Mobile is a solution that is quick, simple and most of all, secure to access transaction information and approve payments ‘on the move’, so this really changes the way we work and is highly beneficial as we can have greater control over our cash flow.”

“HSBCnet Mobile is a simple, secure and action-oriented service that is currently available on Android 2.2 and above, iPhone iOS 3 and above and Blackberry OS 5.0 and above smart phones. We are also looking at launching an application to facilitate more robust ways of accessing HSBCnet,” commented HSBC Head of Payments and Cash Management Sohantha Wijesingha.

HSBC’s Payments and Cash Management (PCM) business provides corporate and financial institution customers with leading edge payments solutions, electronic/internet banking, receivable management systems and liquidity management services. HSBCnet Mobile becomes yet another innovative solution under PCM’s product portfolio to help customers manage their finances more efficiently.

PCM has continuously scored high in pioneering best in class solutions and has thus been recognised for its efforts by two key industry awards in Sri Lanka: The Best Cash Management Bank in Sri Lanka awarded by Euromoney for three consecutive years since 2008 and also The Best Corporate / Institutional Internet Bank in Sri Lanka awarded by Global Finance in 2011.

Laugfs Holdings Limited was established in 1995.

During its 15 years of existence the company has diversified into many sectors of business with 20 subsidiaries and over 3000 members.

Having grown from strength to strength, the company today produces an annual turnover of Rs.16 billion and remains one of the most admired local brands in the country.