First National Bank has released a dedicated tablet version of its transactional banking application.
Until now, customers have been able to use the FNB Banking App designed for iPhone and iPod touch on the iPad, or the version designed for Android phones on Android tablets, but those versions of the app aren’t optimised for the larger displays of tablet computers.
The new app, which is called the “FNB Banking App for Tablet”, is also available for Android and Windows 8 devices.
At 57,1MB for the iPad version of the app, it’s far more substantial than the 17,8MB of the iPhone version.
Once installed, users must log on to their online banking profile to link the device to their account. Thereafter, they log in using their online banking credentials.
Upon opening the app, users are greeted with a sphere plastered with various FNB promotions and product information. It’s also possible to look at foreign exchange rates without logging in.
After logging in, the app defaults to an accounts tab, which displays a list of accounts.
Like the mobile versions of the app, the FNB Banking App for Tablet can be used to make payments to both predefined beneficiaries as well as once-off payments. It’s also possible to manage beneficiaries using the app, transfer funds between accounts, or apply for new accounts.
Users can also use FNB’s e-wallet to send money to any South African mobile phone number and purchase prepaid products such as electricity and airtime.
The app doesn’t appear to expand on the functionality of FNB’s smartphone apps. In fact, as it doesn’t offer location-based geo-payments, it offers less than the mobile versions. The app design has been optimised for the larger display, with greater use of gestures and drag-and-drop movements to navigate and more information available within each of the app’s tabs.
Like the mobile versions of the app, non-FNB customers can download and install the software. However, functionality will be limited to looking at promotions, applying for accounts and viewing currency data.
In July 2011, FNB became the first South African bank to launch a smartphone application. Since then, Nedbank, Standard Bank, Investec and Absa have all released transactional banking apps of their own. Absa launched its app, which includes a version for iPad, just last week. — (c) 2013 NewsCentral Media
