IDBI Bank's WAP mobile banking services was initially launched at Mumbai. The facility now being offered in Mumbai has been upgraded to include SMS services even on non-WAP phones.

The unique feature of the WAP mobile facility being offered by IDBI Bank is that these services can be accessed at local call charges by the user anywhere in India through Internet mode. Further, this service is being offered across all mobile service providers. The mobile service offered by the bank will also indicate the nearest IDBI Bank branch and its phone number.

Said IDBI Bank's head net initiatives & e-commerce, J Venkataramanan: "IDBI Bank has tied up with two cellular phone numbers - 98203-46920 and 98210-43718. The objective is to make it more operational for customers to access their accounts regardless of who is the service provider. It is independent of location, not only within the country but also outside where GSM is used."

Added Mr Venkataramanan: "Mobile banking is one more channel in which the bank endeavours to give a reportaire of products and convenience to customers".

The objective of mobile banking, Mr Venkataramanan said, was mainly to help enquiry on demat account for the customers as the main thrust is towards mobile broking. The bank's next phase of services on offer through mobile phones are automated teller machines, ATM locators, and information on e-sec account. This product launch marks the beginning of the retail strategy roll out by the IDBI Bank.

Our Bangalore Bureau adds: IDBI Bank is planning to increase its focus on the individual customer. Till lately, the bank had been concentrating on corporate clients with the latter contributing to over 90 per cent of IDBI's retail assets. The bank's vice president Ashok K Basu said that the ratio will change to 50:50 over the next 2 years. Towards this, the bank will have a full roll-out of Net Banking during the next fiscal. This is in line with the bank's strategy of spending Rs 40 crore on technological upgradation. The bank is also in talks with Birla Sun Life Distribution to distribute third party insurance products.