i-Free, the Russian provider of mobile value added services, is to provide technical support for mobile banking services available to American Express card holders who are customers of the Russky Standard Bank. With the new SMS Banking service, implemented in partnership with i-Free, AmEx clients will be able to monitor their account activity 24 hours a day. The service is available nationwide.
Innovative services for banking are a priority for i-Free, which was one of the pioneers of mobile banking in Russia among content providers. Mobile banking services, carried by cutting-edge cellular technology, make banking considerably easier for customers and so create additional competitive leverage for banks.
We are glad to bring this extra convenience to AmEx holders,” says Victoria Podunova, who manages i-Free projects for partners in the banking sector. Mobile technology combines comfort and security, and thats a mix highly appreciated by most people today. Moreover, mobile banking is not tied to a computer, so people can use it in those parts of Russia where Internet coverage is still limited.”    
SMS Banking will enable AmEx card holders to receive updates on their account status at any time, in any part of Russia covered by the mobile network. Every time an AmEx card is used, the bank will notify the holder immediately by SMS, detailing the transaction and the account balance remaining.   
In addition to automatic online updates on the latest account activity, the customer may request other important information, such as card overdraft limit, aggregated account statement, a list and registered numbers of cards entitling their holders to the SMS Banking service, and instructions on how to use SMS Banking.