Scotiabank launched SMS Service + new app for iPhones, Blackberries

Scotiabank has announced account alerts for mobile devices and a new application for iPhones and Blackberries. The first is the launch of Scotia InfoAlerts, a service that notifies customers via text message or e-mail of transactional activities in their accounts. The second is an application for the iPhone and iPod touch or Blackberry smartphones, providing Canadians with a GPS locator for Scotiabank branches and ABMs. These two new services are a first step toward offering full mobile banking services starting next spring.

With more than 15 account information and real-time security-related alerts available, customers can choose which notifications they would like to receive and when. With the SMS InfoAlerts, you can be notified by text of debit and credit card transactions, as well as get daily or weekly updates of your acount balances, minimum payments due, and alerts when you’ve hit specific Visa or line of credit balances.

Security-related alerts advising customers about unusual activity on their account are provided at no cost while all of the account information alerts are currently offered for free until May 31st, 2010.

Customers who register for InfoAlerts before March 31, 2010 have a chance to win either a seven-night, all-inclusive Eco Adventure for two to Belize, one of three Apple MacBook Pro laptops with an iPod Touch, or one of eight SIRIUS satellite radio lifetime subscription packages.

Scotiabank also introduced an application for the iPhone and iPod touch or Blackberry smartphones, making Scotiabank the first major Canadian bank to launch an application. This free application offers GPS branch locator services to connect Canadians with the location of Scotiabank branches and ABMs in a matter of seconds. The service also offers additional details about branches including hours of operation, contact details and languages spoken.