T-Mobile Deutschland and Postbank are turning the cell phone into a mobile banking branch: both market leaders have agreed a strategic cooperation to further develop mobile banking in Germany. This covers exclusive Postbank information and transaction offers for T-Mobile customers, for example, transfers, balance inquiries, share orders, stock exchange news or an ATM finder. These options can be accessed under t-zones, the mobile multimedia portal from T-Mobile. Customers with an XtraCard can upload them via the internet or at Postbank ATMs. The offer is rounded off by a start-up package comprising a modern cell phone with a card contract and a free Postbank Giro plus current account.

"With mobile banking, we are rigorously continuing our eFinance strategy", said Dr. Wolfgang Klein, Private Customers Director at Postbank. "Today's customers want to organize banking transactions while on the move, irrespective of opening hours. We are therefore integrating the cell phone practically and simply into personal finance management."

"Online banking is now a popular means of carrying out monetary transactions in a convenient way. We are continuing this trend by adding mobile components to online banking", explained Martin Knauer, Director of Marketing at T-Mobile Deutschland. "In cooperation with Postbank, we intend to open up and decisively advance the growth market of mobile financial services."

The bank in your hand

As of CeBIT 2004, T-Mobile customers can call up comprehensive Postbank information services via t-zones and thus find, for example, the nearest ATM belonging to Cash Group or the nearest post office branch. Financial and stock exchange news round off the range. Furthermore, Postbank customers have the option to manage their current account and securities account while on the move: many of the familiar functions of Postbank online banking and brokerage are also available, for example a balance and securities account inquiry or bank statements. With its offer of "transfers via cell phone", Postbank is leading the way in Germany.

In the introduction phase up to June 30, 2004, mobile services for customers will be free and only the connection charges incurred in the relevant tariff will be calculated. The exclusive use of the SMS services of “Postbank direct”, Postbank's innovative finance portal, is also be free for T-Mobile customers. Customers can, for example, receive information about changes to their account balances by SMS or have a mobile transaction number (mTAN) sent to their cell phones.

Attractive start-up package

For an easy introduction to mobile banking, T-Mobile and Postbank are putting together a start-up package with a modern cell phone, card contract and current account, exclusively for new customers as of March 15. The offer comprises a T-Mobile cell phone contract with the Relax tariff 100, a SonyEricsson T630, already preset with the t-zones multimedia portal, and a free Postbank Giro Plus salary account.

Exclusively for Postbank customers with an XtraCard

Postbank customers who use a T-Mobile XtraCard also benefit from the cooperation: they can use a credit card to upload the credit from this prepaid card on the internet via www.postbank.de/mobileservices. The possibility of uploading credit will be introduced at all Postbank ATMs during the course of the year.

T-Mobile and Postbank are planning to broaden the mobile banking offer during the year. For example, a mobile version of the "Postbank direkt" finance portal is scheduled for fall 2004.