Financial services provider Washington Mutual Inc. has launched a free mobile banking platform that lets customers access account information and search for branch and ATM locations via their handset.

WaMu customers can opt in to the service by logging into their accounts online at www.wamu.com. Once mobile, they can view account balances, view and search transaction history and locate a nearby WaMu cash machine or bank using their mobile phone.

"The strategy behind WaMu's launch of mobile banking services is to deliver to our customers a fast, simple and affordable way to keep track of their most important account information and keep on top of their finances," said Mustafa Patni, vice president of mobile products for WaMu, Seattle.

WaMu will not charge customers for using the service. But wireless carriers may charge standard text-messaging fees. The bank will only send text messages associated with the WaMu Mobile service.

WaMu's portal at http://www.wamu.com/mobile requires customers to enter their mobile phone number and carrier and create a 4-digit mobile PIN.

After customers activate WaMu Mobile on their handset, they can request support by texting HELP to MYWAMU (699268) or deactivate the service by texting STOP to the same number.

WaMu then sends customers a text message with an activation code. Once customers correctly enter the activation code and click "Activate," their phone is enabled for WaMu Mobile.

WaMu then sends customers another text message confirming registration and providing a list of short code text commands that they can send to MYWAMU (699268).

These customers can text BAL to get their current available balance and a two-digit account code. Users who text HIST and the account code get their balance history.

To get the location of an ATM, customers need to text ATM plus a street address, city, state or ZIP code to find the closest WaMu cash machine. Users text BRANCH plus location information to find a nearby WaMu bank branch location.

"Most of our competitors currently offer mobile banking services using a WAP or an application," Mr. Patni said. "In line with our brand of making banking simpler and based on internal customer research telling us what information they place greatest value on, we believe that we have introduced the most accessible and simplest-to-use service via SMS texting."

WaMu's mobile banking launch follows similar initiatives by competitors Bank of America (see story), Chase (see story) and Citibank (see story).

A survey released in May claims that almost one-third of the world's leading financial firms plan to launch mobile banking services in the next year or two (see story).

"We believe that the most important factor is getting the most important information out to the customer in the most convenient way possible," Mr. Patni said.