`CitiAlert' is a completely personalised service that provides customers with the latest information on their accounts. This service also provides a certain degree of timeliness and has the capability to reach `any and every' customer who has a mobile phone. However, one has to be a Citibank customer to be able to use this service. It empowers the customer to take informed decisions through relevant money alerts such as when an event occurs: when salary is credited to customers' account or when credit card bills are due. It also offers continuously updated information on withdrawals and account-balances. This service has the technological capability to reach the customer anywhere in the country at any frequency.

Said Citibank CEO and global consumer bank head (India), Nanoo Pamnani: "`CitiALert' is a customer's delight. It is the only service of its kind which actually reaches out to customers and updates them on their finances, no matter where they are in the country and without any effort on their part". `CitiAlert', which is being rolled out globally, is a first-of-its-kind service to be offered in India. It's India launch closely follows a successful international debut in Singapore recently.

When an alert is triggered, a text message is sent either to the customer's mobile phone or via e-mail. If, for instance, the customer has requested notification every time he has used over 70 per cent of his credit-line on his credit card, the trigger is set for when this event actually takes place and a message is sent out to the customer on his mobile phone and his e-mail address as indicated by him. The customer need not have a WAP-enabled or high-end phone. The technology powering `CitiAlert' involves a triggering mechanism and the routing of short message service (SMS) alerts through multiple-mobile carriers. The wireless service that makes the messaging service possible has been provided by iSolv India - a wireless technology venture backed by iNestor India Venture Fund.

In Mumbai, `CitiAlert' will operate on the Hutchison Max network. When asked if `CitiAlert' will be made available for other products like mutual funds, Mr Pamnani said: "To start with, customers should expect alerts and information on credit limits and overdrafts, followed by investments in mutual funds, NAVs etc.