JACKSONVILLE, Fla. and NOVATO, Calif. – Fidelity National Information Services, Inc. (NYSE:FIS), a global leader in processing and technology solutions for financial institutions, and ClairMail, Inc., the leader in two-way mobile phone-based customer interaction, today announced that FIS Mobile Banking is now in production for 1st National Bank of Scotia and Washington-based Cascade Bank. These banks lead the pack of FIS clients by being the first FIS core processing clients to launch FIS Mobile Banking. 1st National Bank of Scotia, a BancPac® core processing client, and Cascade Bank, a HORIZON™ core processing client, are the first financial institutions to benefit from the FIS-ClairMail-mFoundry alliance.
FIS teamed with ClairMail and mFoundry to provide one of the most advanced and comprehensive mobile banking offerings in the market that also includes an industry-leading iPhone-certified downloadable application. The FIS-ClairMail-mFoundry alliance, which offers a choice of the most advanced mobile solutions to banks and credit unions of all sizes, continues to gain momentum with additional customers expected to be announced in the coming months.
FIS Mobile Banking and Bill Pay is a comprehensive two-way banking and payments solution that encompasses the three modes of mobile banking known as the “triple play:” SMS/text banking and alerts, mobile Web and downloadable application. This full-service mobile banking and payments solution addresses the varied needs of all consumers and allows financial institutions to target different segments of their consumer base with the most appropriate mobile banking offering.
“This product represents the future of banking and demonstrates how technology is now interwoven into customer communication channels,” said Carol Nelson, president and chief executive officer, Cascade Bank. “Customers have the bank at their fingertips, wherever they are, taking convenience to the next level.”
At 1st National Bank of Scotia, plans are to make the service available to customers already banking online and those signing up for the bank’s new student checking account, which encourages electronic access.
“All banks will need to offer mobile banking services,” says John Buhrmaster, president, 1st National Bank of Scotia. “It will become part of the fabric of banking.”
“The launch of FIS Mobile Banking for 1st National Bank of Scotia and Cascade Bank not only illustrates the demand for a secure and comprehensive mobile banking and payments solution,” said Anthony Jabbour, executive vice president for FIS Core Processing and e-banking, “but it also levels the service-offering playing field by enabling financial institutions of all sizes to offer this highly sought-after service. The FIS-ClairMail-mFoundry alliance continues to receive tremendous response in the market from our customers, with every indication that mobile banking will continue to be a priority.”
TowerGroup estimates that every month through the first quarter of 2009, between 150 and 300 banks and credit unions in the United States will sign contracts for mobile banking solutions. Mobile banking will surpass six million users by the end of 2008, and TowerGroup forecasts 42 million U.S. active users of mobile banking by 2012.
About Fidelity National Information Services
Fidelity National Information Services, Inc. (NYSE: FIS), a Fortune 500 company, is a leading provider of core processing for financial institutions; card issuer and transaction processing services; and outsourcing services to financial institutions and retailers. FIS has processing and technology relationships with 40 of the top 50 global banks, including nine of the top 10. FIS is a member of Standard and Poor's (S&P) 500(R) Index and has been ranked the number one banking technology provider in the world by American Banker and the research firm Financial Insights in the annual FinTech 100 rankings. Headquartered in Jacksonville, Fla., FIS maintains a strong global presence, serving more than 13,000 financial institutions in more than 80 countries worldwide. For more information on Fidelity National Information Services, please visit www.fidelityinfoservices.com.
About ClairMail
ClairMail is the only comprehensive two-way mobile platform for banking, payments and card services, offering two-way mobile banking, payments and card applications that utilize any phone's existing messaging and mobile Web software and extend the capabilities of third-party client applications. Founded in 2004, ClairMail is headquartered in Novato, Calif. The company is privately held and funded by Norwest Venture Partners, Outlook Ventures and JAFCO Ventures. For more information call (415) 884-7270 or visit www.clairmail.com.
About mFoundry
mFoundry provides a comprehensive mobile banking and payments solution for banks, credit unions, processors and operators. With specific programs for financial institutions of all sizes, the out-of-the-box platform supports full-service mobile banking and mobile payments and serves as an ideal foundation for mobile wallets. The platform has been adopted by some of the largest banks, mobile operators and bank technology providers in the U.S. mFoundry is based in the San Francisco Bay Area and has been recognized as one of "10 Emerging Wireless Players to Watch" by IDC as well as the top "Tech Company to Watch" by Bank Technology News. For more information on mFoundry, please visit www.mfoundry.com.
About 1st National Bank of Scotia
1st National Bank of Scotia is an independently owned and operated bank founded in 1923 in the Village of Scotia, N.Y. Located in the Capital Region of New York state, 1st National is proud to have an 85-year history of providing the latest technologies and conveniences to its customers. The sole subsidiary of the Glenville Bank Holding Company has been repeatedly recognized for its commitment to the community it serves, most recently as a 2006 winner of the Independent Community Bankers of America National Community Service Award. For more information on 1st National Bank of Scotia, please visit www.firstscotia.com.
About Cascade Bank
Established in 1916, Cascade Bank, the only operating subsidiary of Cascade Financial Corporation, is a state-chartered commercial bank headquartered in Everett, Washington. Cascade Bank has proudly served the Puget Sound region for more than 90 years and in September 2008, Carol K. Nelson, president and chief executive officer of Cascade Bank, was named to U.S. Banker magazine’s annual ranking of the 25 Most Powerful Women in Banking and Finance. Cascade has also been ranked #44 on the Seattle Times’ Northwest 100, a list of public companies; #10 on Washington CEO magazine’s list of Top 25 Washington Banks; and in 2007, Cascade was named to Sandler O’Neill’s Bank and Thrift Sm-All Stars – Class of 2007 – which recognized Cascade as one of the top 24 best-performing small-capitalization institutions in the U.S.
Forward-Looking Statements
This press release contains forward-looking statements that involve a number of risks and uncertainties. Statements that are not historical facts, including statements about our beliefs and expectations, are forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are based on management's beliefs, as well as assumptions made by, and information currently available to, management. Because such statements are based on expectations as to future economic performance and are not statements of fact, actual results may differ materially from those projected. We undertake no obligation to update any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. The risks and uncertainties which forward-looking statements are subject to include, but are not limited to: changes in general economic, business and political conditions and other risks detailed in the “Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Information,” “Risk Factors” and other sections of the Company’s Form 10-K and other filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission.