Nationwide launches current account by text

A text message service for current account holders is being piloted by Nationwide Building Society.

10:25 14 January 2005

A text message service for current account holders is being piloted by Nationwide Building Society.

The text alerting service will be available to its FlexAccount holders to road-test.

Customers can receive a monthly or a weekly text alert. This message allows them to view their current balance and displays a mini-statement showing the last five transactions on the account.

"Nationwide places great importance on developing innovative new ways to further improve the services we provide to our members," said Jim Willens, Nationwide's retail operations director.

Speaking about the feedback so far, he added: "We have found that our members are very interested in this new service as it is free, convenient and saves them time."

Customers who hold a joint account with Nationwide can choose to have messages sent out to one or both account holders.

With almost 80 per cent of the adult population in the UK now owning a mobile phone, Nationwide feels there is a large potential audience for the service.