It is what distinguishes China Bank Online from other e-banking systems. A user can program to get updates via e-mail or SMS (text).
"You can set it to send you alerts whenever a deposit or withdrawal is made involving your account. For example, you can receive a text message if your salary has been credited to your payroll account, or if your bills are already due, or whether your time deposit is to mature," explained Alexander C. Escucha, China Bank First Vice President for Corporate Planning and Head of the E-Banking Task Force.
"Literally, any movement in your account," he underscored, adding that China Bank Onlines alerts feature is free. Clients will not be charged extra for the e-mail or text message alerts sent to their Globe, Smart or Sun Cellular phone lines.
This is a major attraction for China Bank customer returnees. I for one decided to enroll at the its website for an account minutes after Escucha’s presentation at the blessing and inauguration of the China Bank Online Center, the newest hotspot right at the ground floor of China Bank building in Paseo de Roxas, Makati City.
The 110 square meter China Bank Online Center is equipped with state-of-the-art computers, wi-fi access, an ATM, couches, and a Starbucks Coffee counter.
Perceived to be a highly traditional bank, China Bank surprised both its clients and competitors by not only launching its own e-banking facility, but by pushing the envelope in online banking, guests noted.
"More than a marketing strategy, the China Bank Online Center is a glimpse of the looks of things to come at China Bank," said China Bank COO Ricardo Chua, the brain behind the project.
"We’re changing the way we do business, and we’re changing it in a big way — offering new services that are timely and relevant to our clients," he added.
China Bank Online is China Bank’s Internet and mobile banking platform accessible through a computer at www.chinabank.ph or any mobile phone via text messaging. It completes the suite of China Bank’s electronic channels — TellerCard for ATM banking, TellerPhone for phone banking and now the Internet and mobile banking.
Chua remarked, "It is our answer to the changing banking landscape and at the same time, our way of enhancing our banking partnership with our clients."
China Bank Online uses a portal solution developed by Infosys Technologies. It integrates several banking applications into a single Internet and mobile banking platform. It is the same system used by ICICI Bank of India which grew from practically zerp to five million customers in just three years and eight million in five years, narrated Escucha.
China Bank Online is certified to run on Microsoft Internet Explorer 5.5 or higher versions. To use the system effectively, the client’s PC must have a minimum hard disk capacity of 10 MB, 16 MB of RAM and Microsoft Windows 98, XP or other operating systems that support IE 5.5 and above.
