MasterCard Launches MoneySend for BlackBerry Smartphones

MasterCard Worldwide has announced the availability of the MasterCard MoneySend™ service for Blackberry® Smartphones, a convenient way to transfer money from person-to-person easily and securely by combining the power of a mobile device with a banking relationship. MasterCard MoneySend which is available for free download on BlackBerry App World™ (www.blackberry.com/appworld), allows users to ‘Send,’ ‘Pay’ or ‘Request Funds’ for a wide range of reasons including the everyday ‘IOU,’ informal services purchased from friends and family, or payments to a personal trainer, roommate, babysitter, gardener, housekeeper or repairman,” said Andrew Ong, Group Head, P2P, MasterCard Worldwide. “We are excited to extend MasterCard MoneySend to the Blackberry Smartphone platform so that we can continue to provide consumers with innovative ways to make their lives easier.”

With this new platform, MasterCard participating bank customers will be able to offer Mobile MasterCard MoneySend™ P2P payments to their customers. Mobile MoneySend is the breakthrough consumer payment platform that provides a better way to send and receive funds via SMS-text, mobile browser, mobile applet or an Internet PC. Initially, consumers will be able to use MoneySend with a MasterCard prepaid card issued by The Bancorp Bank and then link it to their mobile phone number to send or receive money.

As additional issuers enroll for the platform, their customers will be able to use MoneySend with their everyday accounts, including MasterCard debit, credit, prepaid or checking, as determined by their issuer. Once registered for MoneySend, consumers have the flexibility of directly, easily and securely transferring funds to and from family and friends through their mobile phone, eliminating the need to write or cash checks, visit ATMs, or wire money domestically.

Senders initiate transfers to any domestic mobile phone number via SMS message, mobile web browser or a downloadable MoneySend application. Upon initiation of the transfer, the sender approves the request by entering the MoneySend mobile PIN which only the accountholder knows. Then the recipient receives a text message confirmation of the transfer (for pre-registered users) or that the transfer is pending (for yet to be registered users). The funds can then be accessed by the recipient through an account designated during the registration process. Initially, this will be a prepaid account with The Bancorp Bank. These funds are then available for access through the mobile phone. If the consumer has a MasterCard card associated with the account the funds can also be accessed at traditional points of interaction, including ATMs, over-the-counter at a bank branch, or at the point-of-sale.

At the time being, this service will allow users in the U.S. to send or request money via their BlackBerry through participating banks and credit unions or when they create a virtual prepaid account through Bancorp Bank. Users can then link their existing debit or credit cards or bank checking account to the new virtual prepaid account and begin sending money via their Blackberry Smartphone. The designated account funds the MoneySend transaction, and users can manage and trigger the exchanges through the app. Personal and financial information is never stored on the Blackberry. Certain Bancorp Bank fees will apply.

“Our existing MoneySend platform and Obopay’s connectivity to mobile networks has allowed us to bring a simple solution for mobile P2P payments to consumers in the U.S. in partnership with our customer banks,” said Art Kranzley, Chief Emerging Technology Officer, MasterCard Worldwide. “We know that consumers are now constantly connected, whether in front of their computer screens or on the go with their mobile phones that are always there and always on. Since the MoneySend platform supports P2P payments through any PC or mobile device, we are able to offer a consistent transaction experience in both online and mobile channels for consumers in the U.S.” The application will soon extend to all Blackberry deploying telcos worldwide.