Mobile Internet customers to have a 'direct click' to their finances

From today, Vodafone UK customers will have access to their finances, free of charge*, directly from the Vodafone internet on their mobile, over the MONILINK mobile banking network. The service allows customers of the UK's leading banks, including HSBC, first direct, Alliance & Leicester and, from later this summer, Royal Bank of Scotland, NatWest and Ulster Bank in Northern Ireland, to check their balance, request a mini-statement and even top-up their or their friends'/family's 'pay as you talk' mobile phones.

Customers can now register their bank or building society account for MONILINK mobile banking directly from the Vodafone Mobile Internet home page. Once registered, customers are able to connect to their account using a secure application stored on their mobile. On accessing MONILINK, the customer is prompted to enter a unique passcode, registered with their bank or building society, before secure access is granted to their account.

Al Russell, Head of Internet On Your Mobile at Vodafone said: "With the launch of the Vodafone Internet On Your Mobile we want to give customers access to all the services they see as essential, in the palm of their hand. Banking is one of the most important services that our customers use and by partnering with the MONILINK network we can ensure that all of our customers are able to access their bank accounts on the move, whenever they wish."

The MONILINK service has been developed by Monitise, a specialist in mobile banking technology, and VocaLink, the transaction specialists behind the UK's ATM network, processing over eight billion transactions per year including 15 per cent of Europe's automated payments. Monitise is currently working with partners across the world, including Metavante in the United States and T-Systems in Germany, to create a single mobile banking and payments ecosystem for the global population.

Alastair Lukies, CEO OF MONILINK added: "The mobile phone is the world's personal communications device and it's only natural that consumers want to use it as the 'remote control' to essential services. Vodafone's commitment to providing mobile banking services is a great step in ensuring that financial provision in the UK is as convenient and accessible as possible.

* Valid until the end of 2007

About Vodafone
Vodafone UK has 17.4 million customers and is part of the world's leading international mobile telecommunications Group, offering a wide range of voice and data communications. The company is committed to providing mobile solutions that allow both consumer and business customers to make the most of now. In addition, Vodafone connects customers across the globe with roaming agreements worldwide. It provides 3G roaming in 29 countries and offers great roaming value with Vodafone Passport. On June 6 2007 Vodafone launched Vodafone Internet On Your Mobile. For more information, please visit www.vodafone.co.uk.

About MONILINK
MONILINK, the UK's mobile banking network, provides consumers with a greater level of control over their finances, allowing them to securely access their card-based accounts via the mobile handset. The service is currently available to customers of first direct, HSBC and Alliance & Leicester. It has been developed over the past three years by VocaLink, the UK's ATM interchange network and Monitise, the mobile banking specialists. The service was awarded 'Technology Pioneer' status by the World Economic Forum at this year's Davos meeting, in recognition of its potential to create a 'life changing impact on a global scale'.

The company uses the trusted technology and operational capability of VocaLink which is connected with 37 of the UK leading retail banks and building societies. This allows VocaLink's portfolio of services, such as balance enquiries and mobile prepay 'top ups' to be delivered to the broadest group of banking consumers.

For further information:

Julien Cozens
Vodafone Group Media Relations
01635 664444
Press.office@vodafone.com

Ben Evetts, MONILINK
020 7868 5106
Ben.evetts@monitise.com