WaMu just launched its first foray into mobile banking, a text-message-based (SMS) service believed to be powered by New Zealand's M-Com (previous post here). Thanks to Brandon McGee, blogging from his vacation via iPhone, for the tip (here).

The free service provides text-based access to balance and history of checking and savings accounts. To use the mobile services, WaMu customers must first register through online banking to activate their phone. Up to five phones can be registered through a single online banking account.  

Chase is the other U.S. top-10 bank using a primarily text-based approach for mobile delivery. See our Online Banking Report on Mobile Banking for more information on the growing market, including a 10-year adoption forecast.

More info at the WaMu website:

• FAQ
• Landing page
• Mobile services agreement

CIO Insight recently published a long article called, Will Mobile Banking Take Off? Reporter Dan Briody discusses Wells Fargo's mobile efforts and how their implementation parallels the early days of online banking. Wells EVP Steve Smith is quoted at length.

There's not much new for anyone closely following the space; however, about two-thirds into the article, we discover Wells Fargo is testing SMS banking, using ClairMail as its service provider. Not a huge surprise, but it lays to rest the rumors.

With Bank of America, Citi, and Wachovia grabbing the headlines this year with mobile initiatives, Wells Fargo could create a buzz with an SMS offering by being the first major U.S. bank to go that route. Several weeks ago, Bank of Stockton became the first U.S. bank to align with ClairMail (link here).

On a personal note, I can't wait. The ever-diligent Wells Fargo fraud department, which must have my home phone number on speed dial, will hopefully start texting me when I use their card outside of Seattle, saving us both a lot of time and expense.

For more info see our Mobile Money and Payments report here.