BlackBerry Gets MasterCard MoneySend Service

Today, MasterCard Worldwide announced the launch of a new service aimed at easing the manner in which people in the United States can transfer money from person-to-person, namely MasterCard MoneySend for BlackBerry Smartphones.

According to the company, the new money transfer service is both easy and secure, and puts together the features of mobile phones with capabilities of a banking service.

“We are excited to extend MasterCard MoneySend to the BlackBerry Smartphone platform so that we can continue to provide consumers with innovative ways to make their lives easier,” said Andrew Ong, Group Head, P2P, MasterCard Worldwide.

“MasterCard MoneySend allows users to ‘Send,’ ‘Pay’ or ‘Request Funds’ for a wide range of reasons including the everyday ‘IOU,’ informal services purchased from friends and family, or payments to a personal trainer, roommate, babysitter, gardener, housekeeper or repairman.”

The new service offers users the possibility to send or request money straight from their BlackBerry mobile phone through participating banks and credit unions, as well as via a virtual prepaid account through Bancorp Bank.

One can easily link an existing debit or credit cards or bank checking account to the newly created account and start sending money via the BlackBerry device.

The company also explains that the designated account funds the MoneySend transaction, and that the application also enables users to manage and trigger the exchanges.

No personal or financial information is stored on the BlackBerry device, the company notes, adding that a series of Bancorp Bank fees will apply.

And users can manage and trigger the exchanges through the app. Personal and financial information is never stored on the BlackBerry. Certain Bancorp Bank fees will apply.

Registered MoneySend users can enjoy features like:
- Accept credit or debit card payments
- Send money to family members (*bank sending fees may apply)
- Pay for informal goods and services (*bank sending fees may apply)
- Request money from people who owe money
- Simplify business or non-profit collection effort through the Request Funds feature
- Manage MoneySend transaction history from a BlackBerry
- Invite other users to use MoneySend via email as a function within the app

The new MasterCard MoneySend has been made available for download for free via the BlackBerry App World.