53.mobi
Building on mobile banking momentum, 53.mobi marks the site of the
first two-character Internet address used specifically for the mobile
phone
DUBLIN and WASHINGTON, March 3 /PRNewswire/ -- dotMobi, the company
behind .mobi - the only Internet address created specifically for
locating content that works on all mobile phones - today announced the
allocation of the first two-character mobile Internet domain to Fifth
Third Bank:
http://53.mobi.
In January of this year, dotMobi announced that it is making available
.mobi domain names with one and two alphanumeric characters, such as
q.mobi, k9.mobi, 13.mobi or ny.mobi. These short names are highly
sought after by companies who want to extend their brand with brief,
memorable Web addresses. Fifth Third Bank is among the very first
innovative banking brands to do so, extending services available on
their existing Web site, 53.com, to the mobile phone.
Fifth Third Bank launched its mobile banking service in select markets
beginning in February and continues to roll out the service throughout
its 12-state footprint during the month of March. With Fifth Third
Mobile Banking, customers can use their mobile phones to view
information such as account balances and pending & posted
transactions, to transfer funds, and to find Fifth Third ATMs and
branch locations. Those who enroll also can sign up to receive text
alerts regarding balance levels, statement availability and more. With
53.mobi, Fifth Third Bank joins other leading financial institutions in
providing their customers with mobile sites to handle their "on the go"
banking needs.
"We understand the importance of providing our customers with options
when it comes to researching and servicing their accounts," said Paul
Moore, vice president and director of Alternative Delivery for Fifth
Third Bank. "We are pleased not only to offer this next step in
convenience, enabling customers to bank whenever and wherever they
want, but also to do so with an address and site consistent with
53.com."
dotMobi is one of the very few registries who have made one and two
character names available. These short domain names give brands an
upper hand in supporting mobile phone users who do not want to type
long URL addresses into their phone browser for viewing mobile content.
"Since we announced the availability of one and two character .mobi
domains, we have been approached by an exciting number of strong brands
looking to provide consumers with high-quality mobile content," said
Trey Harvin, CEO of dotMobi. "The Fifth Third Bank example of 53.mobi
shows how a brand strongly rooted in using a two-character domain name
- like 53.com - can easily go mobile, and utilize dotMobi's tools,
resources, and marketing reach."
Companies can submit their interest in a one or two character .mobi domain by visiting
http://dotmobi.mobi/onechar.
dotMobi responds to requests from interested brands that provide
specific concepts for the .mobi domain requested. All formal applicants
will then be required to complete a proposal and contract process.
About Fifth Third
Fifth Third Bancorp is a diversified financial services company
headquartered in Cincinnati, Ohio. The Company has $120 billion in
assets, operates 16 affiliates with 1,309 full-service Banking Centers,
including 93 Bank Mart(R) locations open seven days a week inside
select grocery stores and 2,347 ATMs in Ohio, Kentucky, Indiana,
Michigan, Illinois, Florida, Tennessee, West Virginia, Pennsylvania,
Missouri, Georgia and North Carolina. Fifth Third operates five main
businesses: Commercial Banking, Branch Banking, Consumer Lending,
Investment Advisors and Fifth Third Processing Solutions. Fifth Third
is among the largest money managers in the Midwest and, as of December
31, 2008, has $179 billion in assets under care, of which it managed
$25 billion for individuals, corporations and not-for-profit
organizations. Investor information and press releases can be viewed at
www.53.com. Fifth Third's common stock is traded on the NASDAQ(R) National Global Select Market under the symbol "FITB." Member FDIC.
About dotMobi
Headquartered in Dublin, dotMobi is a worldwide leader in enabling the
development & discovery of quality mobile content through
innovative services, helping businesses and individuals reach the
world's billions of mobile phone users. dotMobi spurs mobile industry
innovation by giving content providers the tools they need to ensure
the Web will work on mobile phones with speed, accuracy and relevant
content.
dotMobi is backed by leading mobile operators, network & device
manufacturers, and Internet content providers, including Ericsson, GSM
Association, Hutchison 3, Microsoft, Nokia, Orascom Telecom, Samsung
Electronics, Syniverse, T-Mobile, Telefonica Moviles, Telecom Italia
Mobile (TIM), Visa and Vodafone.
