14 DAY TRIAL // Citi, the global provider of financial services, announced an agreement with Obopay to conduct a trial of a new mobile payment service. As part of the limited trial, Citi will be providing the mobile payment service to its customers in Boston and Chicago.
"Citi is committed to delivering best in class payment solutions to our customers and deploying innovative technology that offers greater speed and convenience," said Raja Rajamannar, Executive Vice President, Citi Cards. "We are working with Obopay to continue to meet our customers' needs to access their money the way many increasingly prefer - through their mobile phones - in a fast, convenient, and secure manner," added Steven Kietz, Head of E-Commerce and Direct Banking at Citi's Retail Distribution North America.
The mobile payment service will allow customers to conveniently and securely send and receive money from the mobile phone. Citi customers participating in the trial will be able to add money to their mobile payment account via a specially created webpage on Obopay's website through credit card or electronic bank transfer. Then, users will be able to manage their mobile payment account directly from the mobile phone in one of three ways: by using the Obopay mobile application, via the handset's Internet browser, or via text messaging. From the mobile device, Citi customers will be able to check balances, view payment histories and add money to their mobile payment account. Money received via the mobile payment service can also be accessed with a prepaid debit card that will be provided with the service.
"Together, Citi and Obopay are giving American mobile consumers power over their money no matter where they are," said Carol L. Realini, CEO of Obopay. "Obopay is built for today's mobile lifestyle, making cash available to consumers anytime they need it. We're excited to bring this innovative service to select new and existing Citi customers."