Firethorn’s Mobile App Now Provides Customer Access to 3,700 Financial Institutions

Firethorn has updated its mobile banking app to allow consumers to access accounts at more than 3,700 US financial institutions. Previously, Firethorn’s mobile banking solution only worked with institutions that were integrated Firethorn providers. Firethorn’s provides apps for iPhone, BlackBerry, Windows Mobile, and Java devices.

By creating a mobile interface for existing online banking platforms, Firethorn provides
 
consumers with mobile services even if their bank doesn’t support them. Firethorn’s app also
 allows users to access account information from multiple institutions through a single mobile interface. (Finovate2009 video here).

Firethorn isn’t the only company with this type of mobile offering; Pageonce, Mint and Wesabe all provide similar functionality.

How it Works

1. Users can download the free app using their mobile device or from online at their platform’s app store. Firethorn also provides instructions for downloading at mobilebanking.com. (See screenshot #1, below.)

2. After downloading, users launch the app and search for financial institutions. The app provides information on enrolling for mobile service with the various institutions covered. For example, searching for Bank of America leads to an “enroll now” button, along with the information that mobile enrollment is not valid for California, Washington, and Idaho. Choosing USAA requires you to contact the bank to enroll and provides a web address and phone number (screenshot #2).

3. Once enrolled, consumers can log in to check their financial account balances, see their latest transactions, and track if payments have cleared. Financial institutions providing integrated Firethorn services may offer additional services, such as paying bills and transferring funds. Firethorn partners can also offer person-to-person payments from within the mobile banking app, powered by CashEdge’s POPMoney technology.

Firethorn is owned by wireless technology company Qualcomm. Firethorn makes its money by providing its partners with a secure mobile banking system. Expanding its network beyond its current list of integrated partners brings the company’s app to a wider range of consumers.

#1. Downloading Instructions are Provided for the App

 

#2. Search in the App for the Bank, and Follow the Enrollment Instructions