NOVATO ? ClairMail of Novato announced today a strategic partnership with Canadian telecommunications giant Telus, the first major partner it has won for its mobile banking access system.
The agreement will bring ClairMail's mobile banking systems to a large customer base in Canada.
"We expect this announcement will hasten the adaptation of ClairMail's service among banks and credit card companies," said Joseph Salesky, ClairMail CEO.
Venture-backed ClairMail's mobile banking solution is being tested by several major banks, but none have wanted to be named during the test period.
The company already has enterprise customers such as Fireman's Fund for its access solution, which allows users of cell phones and other hand-held devices to bypass interactive voice response systems or multiple screens and go directly to data sources via text messaging.
Since it was founded five years ago, ClairMail's goal has been to enable bank customers to make transactions from mobile devices, primarily cell phones.
The company's customized banking solution allows for withdrawals and fund transfers and also includes several bank-pleasing features such as customer alerts, on-demand access to account information, second-factor authentications and no-hold customer service, none of which require the intervention of a bank employee.
ClairMail's messaging-based application is the only two-way mobile customer interaction that does not require a download of additional software for the mobile phone.
"The cell phone is so ubiquitous, so well-understood, so popular that mobile banking is the logical extension of online banking," said Mr. Salesky.
Telus, with revenues of $8.5 billion, has 4.9 million wireless customers among its 10.5 million customer connections.
"Adding ClairMail's messaging-powered mobile banking and payment system to our other dynamic application services further strengthens our leading position in the Canadian market," said a Telus spokesman.
"We chose ClairMail because its approach is the only solution that will allow all of our clients to create competitive differentiation, significantly reduce their operating costs, and improve overall customer satisfaction."
"The Telus partnership is critical for us," said David Thompson, ClairMail vice president of marketing.
"They're unique among carriers because they're also a premier systems integrator. Telus will not only support and implement our solution, their technical capabilities will help deliver even new applications over our platform.
"Telus is extremely well-connected to the banking industry in Canada, and that'll allow us access to both large and small financial institutions very rapidly," he said.
Last November, ClairMail closed a Series B funding round for $12 million, an amount Mr. Salesky expects will take the company to profitability.
The company employs 40 currently at its location at Hamilton Landing. According to Mr. Thompson, ClairMail will be adding at least 20 engineering and solutions positions within the next six months as a result of the agreement.
For more information, visit www.clairmail.com.
UPDATED: Please read and follow our commenting policy: