FNB banking ready for BlackBerry 10

FNB says its banking applications will be available to BlackBerry 10 users when the devices launch in SA

Staff Writer

January 30, 2013

FNB has confirmed that its banking applications will be available to BlackBerry 10 users when the devices launch in South Africa.

The bank said that the BlackBerry 10 version of the FNB Banking App has already been developed and is available for the new BlackBerry 10 Operating System.

The FNB app is currently in the BlackBerry store and is available as a free download, and BlackBerry 10 users will be able to obtain the new app from the BlackBerry 10 App store.

Since the app’s commercial launch in July 2011, it has amassed more than 380 000 active clients, and has seen more than 300% year-on-year growth and more than 600% growth in transactional value and volume.

The app is currently adding more than 40,000 active App users per month, FNB said.

According to FNB, BlackBerry users make up 29% of the app user base.

“We want to make the App available on as many devices and platforms as possible where it makes sense,” said Farren Roper, head of FNB Connect ISP and business operations.

“Our customers can look forward to some exciting new features in the next few months,” he said.

The global unveiling of RIM’s BlackBerry 10 platform is scheduled for 30 January 2013.

However, according to industry sources, smartphones running the new BlackBerry 10 OS will not be available in South Africa immediately after the launch event.

Operators will likely receive stock of BlackBerry 10 devices by the middle of February 2013, with the phones set to become available towards the end of the month.