Lloyds Banking Group PLC : Halifax launches its Mobile Banking app

Press release 20.11.2011

HALIFAX LAUNCHES MOBILE BANKING

Halifax has launched its Mobile Banking app on the most popular smartphone platforms, responding to the fast-growing use of smartphones across the UK. Designed with customers in mind, the app allows users to access and manage money while on the go, locate a nearby branch and find an ATM.
Current research shows that more than a third (36%) of UK consumers use a smartphone compared to less than one in 10 (9%) two years ago1. Whilst in Europe 18% of consumers use Mobile Banking, compared with only 13% in 20102.
Almost one in five smartphone owners (18%) prefer using apps rather than internet browsers on their handsets2. This highlights the need for easy to use standalone banking applications, with new and innovative features.
The new app not only allows Halifax internet banking customers to log on to their accounts and make transactions, but allows users of the app to find their nearest Halifax branch, Halifax ATM or any of the
72,000 LINK ATMs belonging to any bank across the UK.

David Nicholson, Group Director, Halifax Community Bank says: "The use of mobile apps to assist day-to-day activities - like banking - on the go is more popular than ever, especially apps that provide customers with everything they need in one place. The launch of the Halifax Mobile Banking App will ensure our customers can manage their money when they need to and allow them to control their money quickly and easily.

"This is another example of Halifax delivering new and innovative ways to support our customers, ensuring advancements in technology can be used to improve our customers experience."
The Halifax Mobile Banking app enables customers to access their money and manage their accounts using the most commonly used features of Internet Banking with easy to use features including:
- View account details and balances on Halifax personal accounts, savings accounts and credit cards
- Check balances and see transaction history on Halifax personal current and credit card accounts
- Make transfers between Halifax personal accounts
- Pay bills or existing recipients
- Set up new payment recipients
- Find a LINK UK ATM or Halifax ATM
- Locate the nearest Halifax branch and detailed service information
The app is available on mobiles using the four most popular smartphone platforms: Apple, Android, Blackberry and Nokia (available in the coming days), which enables many Halifax Internet Banking customers to use the app.
Since the launch of the Halifax Mobile Banking App earlier this week, the app has already gained the number one spot in Finance apps on the iTunes App Store.

Ends For further information please contact Halifax Press Team:

Clare Mortimer 01902 302252 / 07768 541555 [e-mail] Partridge 01902 325180 / 07824471951 [e-mail] Osbourne 0207 356 1714 / 07872819065 [e-mail]

Notes to Editors:

1 - Mintel, June 2011: Mobile Phone Apps, pp. 10,23

2 - Forester, 2011: State of Mobile Banking in EU, p. 4

Certain features of Internet Banking will still only be available when you log on to the full desktop site. These include:

- Full statements

- Set up, change or cancel standing orders or direct debits

- Applying for new products

- Approving pending payments

- Changing personal details

- Making International Payments

Keeping our customers safe online

We use the latest online security measures to protect our customers' money, personal information and privacy and our online guarantee means protects our customers from online fraud when using this app. Some things customers can do to protect themselves when using this app:

- Treat mobile security as seriously as desktop security.

- Take care when entering personal information in public places.

- Look for the padlock icon at the top of the mobile screen when using Mobile Banking services: when it's locked, this means the customer is logged in and protected.

- Find out what software phone providers offer for online protection.

- Keep Bluetooth connection switched off.

- Make use of mobile phone security features - e.g. set up a PIN.

Important information

- Halifax won't charge customers for using this App but mobile operators may charge for some services. Services may be affected by phone signal and functionality.

- Anyone can download the app and use the ATM and branch locator. Halifax personal account customers can also use Mobile Banking but must be registered for Internet Banking.

- This app offers some location-based services. If you use these services, we, Link Scheme and/or Google may receive information relating to actual locations.