Dubai Islamic Bank (DIB) has become the latest
bank to tap into the popularity of mobile banking with the launch
of the Al Islami m-banking service. 

The mobile-based web service allows customers
to check their account and card statements, request chequebooks and
issue or cancel a card.

“DIB customers can now conduct all their daily
banking needs without worrying about branch opening hours or
carrying a laptop with them,” said Musabbah Al Qaizi, head of
electronic banking at the bank.

The bank did not disclose whether the service
is compatible with all smartphones, with this often seen as an
obstacle in boosting the customer base of an m-banking
service.  

Compatibility with Apple’s iPhone has
been a particular sticking point for the take-up of a
bank’s m-banking service.

While Canadian
Imperial Bank of Commerce
became the first bank in Canada to
roll out an m-banking application or app for the iPhone, the
UK’s online bank, First Direct was
forced to tell its customers it has not yet got an iPhone app after
confusion on its social media network. 

DIB’s service expands on the bank’s online
banking service, which the bank said has been a “great success”
since its launch in November 2009.