Mobey Forum Membership Increases as Industry Gets Serious About Mobile Payments
9 May, Helsinki – Increased industry interest in mobile payments has resulted in membership numbers continuing to rise at Mobey Forum. The not-for-profit global leader in defining a sustainable and prosperous mobile financial services ecosystem has welcomed six new members since the beginning of the year.
China Guangfa Bank, Infobip, Misys, Nykredit, Oberthur Technologies and Western Union will work alongside the 50 current members to accelerate the take-off of user-friendly mobile financial services by promoting open, non-proprietary technology standards. With Mobey Forum’s membership comprising leading financial institutions, mobile network operators, mobile handset manufacturers, payment processors and vendors, it now collectively represents more than 460 million banking customers globally, which is more than 25% of the global customer base.
Organisations that participate in the forum have an opportunity to contribute to and influence the industry recommendations developed and published by Mobey Forum, as well as take an active role when new trials and implementations are planned and created. Resources are also focused on peer interaction and networking to bring together the latest thinking and insight on making mobile payments a mass market reality.
Sirpa Nordlund, Executive Director at Mobey Forum, comments: “By taking the decision to participate in Mobey Forum, each of the new members has demonstrated its intent to be involved in creating a sustainable, scalable and user-friendly mobile payments landscape. We are delighted to welcome such expertise to our discussions and work initiatives.”
Commenting on the current marketplace, Sirpa adds: “The increased interest in our organisation and continued press around mobile payments is a clear indication that considerable resources are being invested in this area. Creating a workable ecosystem, however, takes time as it is not only about the deployment of handsets and end-user acceptance of the technology, but also the merchant point-of-sale infrastructure, back office systems and establishing new business partnerships. It is the role of Mobey Forum and its members to assist the industry and both businesses and technical stakeholders in appreciating what the options are and the benefits of each.”
About Mobey Forum
Mobey Forum is the global leader in defining a sustainable and prosperous mobile financial services ecosystem. Established in 2000, it brings together leading financial institutions, mobile network operators, mobile handset manufacturers and payment processors and vendors, committed to accelerating the mass-market deployment of user-friendly mobile financial services by promoting open and secure technology standards.
Driven by its membership, Mobey Forum produces comprehensive documentation on the recommended architecture for a wide range of mobile financial services, which is further supported by trials and demonstrations. The association also supports members’ deployments, and actively contributes to new pilots and implementations within the marketplace. Through its information and analysis sharing and cross-industry collaborations, Mobey Forum is known as the key source of independent insight within the mobile financial services sector.
As a not-for-profit organisation, Mobey Forum is led by banks and its Board Members from BBVA, Deutsche Bank, DnB NOR, la Caixa, HSBC, Nokia, Nordea, Rabobank and UBS. The membership comprises of over 50leading organisations within the mobile financial services market representing more than 460 million baking customers globally. Its work initiatives are coordinated through highly interactive strategic meetings, specially designed workshops to address the most challenging current issues and working groups which research, explore and develop relevant industry guidelines as well as facilitate the exchange of expertise, insight and technology. The association also has extensive liaison agreements with relevant industry organisations and standardisations bodies, enabling Mobey Forum to contribute to all aspects of this dynamic landscape. For further information visit www.mobeyforum.org.
