Smartphone Mobile Apps The Success Story in Banking

While online banking through a desktop computer is more convenient than going to the bank and physically depositing a check, todays banking customers demand facilities even while they are on the move. Smartphone mobile apps for banking are becoming a huge trend because they are so convenient and easy to use. After all, who would not want the convenience of being able to deposit checks or review their account balances on the move? Developers are cashing in on this need by coming up with a variety of smartphone applications.

Among banking customers, mobile apps download is becoming quickly catching on due to their convenience and ease of access. Users can even deposit checks with the press of a button such as an Android app developed by JP Morgan for its Android users.
Geo-location facilities that are available on most smartphones allow users to track where they are, and locate particular branches of the bank. Popular mobile banking activities include:

Viewing account balance and transaction history
Payment of bills
Transferring funds between accounts
Making third-party payments
Locate branches of the bank and ATM counters

Timely access to information is also a big reason why these smartphone mobile apps are so popular. If a user is away from their desktop computer, it could get difficult to know when an important transaction or bill payment date is due. This is where mobile banking could be of great use. The bank can send the user a timely Short Text Message (SMS) message warning them of the due date of any of their payments. The user can make the payment simply by downloading an application on their phone that allows them to make payments on the go.

As Apples iPhone, Googles Android, and Research in Motions Blackberry race to grab a chunk of the apps market, several major banks are playing it safe by recruiting mobile application development companies to design apps for their different sets of users. Thus Royal Bank of Canada has apps for their Blackberry and iPhone users. Often, apps are designed specifically for a bank and the users model of smartphone. Chase Manhattan Bank has an app that allows users to take photos of a check using their camera phones before depositing it.

Quick Response (QR) codes allow customers to scan barcodes and use digital coupons for their transactions with the bank. The best part of this technology is that it gives people the ability to do their banking activities on the move, a very convenient facility during transit or in-between meetings. Responding to the growing need for mobility, banks are also coming up with various QR-based applications, which are expected to become more popular in the years to come.
Research estimates say that by 2015, mobile banking will reach 1.1 billion people and apps will come packed with more innovative technologies. Taking advantage of this trend, smartphone mobile apps developers are coming up with innovative products to help banks have better, timely communication with their customers.

Which Is Better Onshore Or Offshore Banking

There are a lot of factors that made onshore banking as well as offshore banking different. Although they all have their own features and advantages, one is always better than the other. It is really hard to choose sometimes because of lack of knowledge regarding which is good and which works for you. Here are some questions that surely have crossed your mind as well as answers to help you decide on what to pick.

Which one would reduce your tax?

Onshore banking is subject to the tax and foreign exchange rules of the country in which the account is held, and depending on the size of your savings, and the tax regime of your onshore jurisdiction, the price you pay is likely to be fairly high if your savings are ‘considerable’. Therefore, if you are interested in reducing your tax exposure, and in relatively higher confidentiality levels, it would make sense to examine the possibilities available to you offshore.

Would you use an offshore bank account if you are with an onshore savings already?

Onshore banking is subject to the tax and foreign exchange rules of the country in which the account is held, and depending on the size of your savings, and the tax regime of your onshore jurisdiction, the price you pay is likely high if your savings are ‘considerable’. Therefore, if you are interested in reducing your tax exposure, and in relatively higher confidentiality levels, it would make sense to examine the possibilities available to you offshore.
Sure it is always advisable to stick to the one you are used to but if changes will alleviate everything then why would you settle for less?

How long does it take to open an offshore/onshore account?

Most of the time it is easier to get an offshore accounts rather that an onshore account because there would be lots of requirements needed for processing on onshore banking. Signature Card With an onshore account you must provide notarized specimen signatures, notarized copy of passport or drivers, license, bank reference, utility bill/s showing residential address and many others. This is a very exhausting list isnt? But you need not to worry because many offshore institutions do not require all of the mentioned documents, or require them in different combinations, but this is normally well documented in their brochures.

How secure is my money? Isn’t it more risky to invest/bank offshore?

It is definitely not risky. It is always better to regard offers and institutions which seem too good to be true’ with suspicion, as they generally are! You should begin your research with well established institutions to give you a frame of reference regarding industry standards, and regard with skepticism interest rates or benefits which seem exceptional’. Also, check that the reputation of the bank that you are planning to deal with is good
Finally, bear in mind that even as taking advantage of existing legislation to legitimately minimize your tax burden with a reputable service provider presents very little risk, unreported offshore activity for the purposes of tax evasion is risky. Some offshore jurisdictions have deposit protection system.

With an offshore bank account, you can be rest assured that there is no information that will be provided for those who would like to investigate or learn your banking status. With an offshore account, it is clear that confidentialities are like norms that should be strictly followed.

Will I able to deposit and get access to my money fast?

Depending on your needs, there are many ways of obtaining access to your money. This can be done by post, courier, fax, telephone, over the internet or bank wire transfer. By having an offshore debit card you can then also easily access your bank account on all ATM machines.

How does an offshore debit card works?

Debit Card works in the same way as a Credit Card for purchase transactions at Merchant Outlets, with the only difference being that the cardholder will be able to spent only up to the balance available in the account thus making it batter than a credit card for it will not lead the owner onto serious debts. Because the owner of the card will just use his own money he will not be subjected for any high rates that a credit will give.

2GetCash offshore debit card is one of the most convenient and reliable offshore debit cards. Through this, you can easily have an access to your bank account at the same time calling your love ones abroad at very low rates.

A Study on Marketing Strategy of Banking Industry in India-Allahabad Bank

The Oldest Joint Stock Bank of the Country, Allahabad Bank was founded in April 24th of the year 1865 at the confluence city of Allahabad by a group of Europeans. At that occasion Organized Industry, Trade and Banking started taking shape in India. Thus, the History of the Bank spread over three Centuries – namely Nineteenth, Twentieth and Twenty-First. As a leading public sector commercial banks in India, Allahabad Bank offering banking products and services to corporate and commercial customers and retail customers. The Bank particularly focuses on the retail banking while serving all sectors of the Indian economy. Bank’s operations for corporate and commercial customers cater to large corporate customers as well as to small and middle market businesses and Government entities. Corporate and commercial products include Term Loans, Bill Discounting, Export Credit and other business credit and financing products. Also the bank offers a wide range of retail products including Home Loans, Personal Loans and Automobile Loans as well as Debit Cards. In addition, specialised products and services to the agricultural sector also one of entity of the bank. All the above products and services of the bank offered through extensive branch network, extension counters, ATMs, phone banking and the Internet. This article will be helpful in writing Project Report on Marketing.In Twentieth Century, The Bank became a part of P & O Banking Corporation’s group with a bid price of Rs.436 per share in 1920. The Head Office of the Bank was shifted to Calcutta on business considerations during the year of 1923. The Bank crossed its century year in 1965. In July 19th of the year 1969, Allahabad Bank was nationalized (with 151Branches – Rs.119 crores of Deposits and Rs.82 crores of Advances) along with 13 other banks. United Industrial Bank Ltd was merged with the bank in October of the year1989. The Bank made a foray into merchant banking activity in 1984 and subsequently instituted AllBank Finance Ltd as a wholly owned subsidiary for Merchant Banking in the year of 1991. The Official Language Implementation Committee of Calcutta awarded the Rajbhasha Shield to the Bank as Second Prize for its best performance for the year 1991. During the year 1995, The Bank had entered into an MOU with the Small Industries Development Bank of India (SIDBI) for financing small-scale industrial units. In 1996, The Bank had set up Information Technology Centre to provide in-depth computer training to Officers at Calcutta and Lucknow. Consequent to the SEBI Rules and Regulation the company surrendered its merchant banking registration in 1998 and got it registered as a Non Banking Financial Company (NBFC) with Reserve Bank of India (RBI). In the same year of 1998, the bank had received permission from the RBI for gold trading. Allahabad Bank has entered into an arrangement, informally though, with IDBI and ICICI in regard to funding of infrastructure projects. During the year 1999, Allahabad Bank has launched two new schemes to increase the pace of credit off take and in the same period TATA Consultancy Services (TCS) has entered into a contract with Bank for implementing the Integrated Standard Banking System (ISBS), a branch mechanisation package at 60 branches. The Bank bagged three major core sector clients, namely the National Thermal Power Corporation (NTPC), Power Grid Corporation and Indian Railway Finance Corporation Ltd (IRFC). This report shows that Allahabad Bank has performed well which is reflected in its Ratio Analysis Reports In Twenty-First Century, Allahabad Bank has launched its new personal loan scheme for pensioners in the year of 2001. As at October of the year 2002, the bank came out with Initial Public Offer (IPO) of 10 crores share of face value Rs.10 each, reducing Government shareholding to 71.16% and in the same year 2002, Allahabad has tied up with National Institute of Banking Management, Crisil and Earnst & Young for development of HRM, risk Management and general business strategy. The Bank has seized the commercial assets of the Guarantors of Ramolene Fabrics (P) Ltd in 2003 at Mumbai and signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Corporation Bank for mutual sharing of their ATM Network. The Bank has entered into an MOU in the year of 2004 with the Export Credit Guarantee Corporation of India (ECGC) for distribution of their products to the exporters. UTI Mutual Fund and Allahabad Bank on April 5, 2004 announced a strategic tie-up for distribution of UTI MF schemes. During April of the year 2005, the bank made Follow on Public Offer (FPO) of 10 crores equity shares of face value Rs.10 each with a premium of Rs.72, reducing Government shareholding to 55.23%. The Bank has signed MoU with Mahindra Gujarat Tractor Ltd in the identical year 2005 for financing Hindustan brand tractor under special finance scheme. Allahabad Bank transcended beyond the National Boundary, Allahabad bank had opened a representative office at Shenzen, China in June 2006. In October of the same year 2006, the bank rolled out its first branch under Core Banking Services (CBS). During February of the year 2007, The Bank opened its first overseas branch at Hong Kong. During the calendar year of 2007, 100 more branches opened throughout the country, the total number of branches were stirred from 2042 to 2142 of which rural are 983 (46%), semi-urban 402 (19%), urban 450 (21%) and metropolitan 307 (14%). There is no doubt that reading Banking Industry Reports is essential for knowing the history of a bank. Allahabad Bank has opened its 2154th branch in at Pudukkottai, Tamil Nadu during March of the year 2008. The Bank has 211 ATM’s and Card members can now have access at over 16500 ATM’s all across the country under National Financial Switch. One of the premier nationalised banks of the country, Allahabad Bank has commenced the process of implementing the Agricultural Debt Waiver and Debt Relief Scheme-2008 in June of the year 2008. The Bank has improved its performance and established its visibility and strong presence in the market. The Bank is steadily moving at a faster pace to consolidate its position in the coming days introducing extensive computerization to ensure the state-of-the-art service comfort for its customers. The Bank has already in hand 116 authorizations for opening of new branches. Bank’s plan is to expand in areas where the Bank’s presence is not very much visible now and where business potentiality is good.

SBI to bring in green-channel banking

The State Bank of India is set to introduce green-channel banking to promote paperless work and reduce footfall of customers in the already over-burdened ATMs and branches. p>

SBI general manager for network-I D Mozumdar said here on Saturday that apart from regular counters, a new counter was being opened in which customers could swipe their ATM cards and enter the pin code to receive cash from the person manning the counter. “In this way, there will be no requirement for paperwork and the process of money withdrawal will be fast,” he said.

Under the financial inclusion scheme of the Reserve Bank of India, SBI has been asked to take up responsibilities in 43 of the 156 “under-banked” blocks of the state, besides extending banking facilities to 408 villages having a population of over 2,000 people. Mozumdar said SBI would connect 200 villages by March this year through different banking techniques. “We do not require brick and mortar branches these days to extend banking facilities because technology has made the work easier and SBI is fortunate to have all the modern banking technology,” he said.

All 200 villages where SBI is planning to launch services by March will be on technology platform that includes micro-ATM or mobile-based banking in which the customers having a mobile phone can access his or her account through the cell phone and bio-metric smart cards by which a user is identified on a hand-held machine through finger prints. Business correspondents appointed by bank will also disburse cash along with printed receipts and through kiosk-mode in which the bank provides a laptop with face-reading and voice-recognition software to enable transactions.

Application of Online Database in Banking System

Suppose your personal important document is stored in an online database and has been connected to the web page with programming thus enabling you to see your personal important document. Think if the database software holding your important document to be full of securities. Only secure web database can save your document and it can be accessible to any part of the Globe. Besides your personal important document another significant application of online database is banking system that became integral part of every individual in modern banking system, whatever may be internet banking, mobile banking or another term used is core banking. Recent advancement of banking system like ATM, core banking using Information Technology people is very safe while they are traveling far way from home. It is still unsafe traveling with good amount of money, some time pulls your life in danger.

The main advantage of using an ATM is the fact that you can have access banking database up to certain level and as your requirement of cash in your bank account from any part of world, whenever you need it.

For instance, you are at a store that does not take checks or credit cards but it has an ATM, you can withdraw the money for your purchase. This also means you can travel anywhere without cash. If the location has an ATM and you have your ATM card, you can access your money instantly. Now days ATMs are not just technology you can use to access cash using online database software. Some ATMs you can transfer funds between accounts, buy stocks, check account balances and even buy stamps. All of these features can be accessed with one debit card or credit card and a PIN number. If you take measures to protect your PIN and account information, having access to an ATM is very convenient and makes life’s little emergencies far less challenging.

Cautions While Using ATM: You do need some carefulness when using an ATM. Identity thief in recent times using useless ATM receipts to get the bank account numbers of innocent customers. Consumers who have an ATM card are assigned a PIN to use when accessing their funds. Shoplifter sometimes stands close behind an ATM user to get this PIN, and then pinch his purse with the ATM card in it to cheat money from the account.