Firethorn Holdings, Fifth Third Processing partner for mobile banking

Through Firethorn's mobile-banking solution, Fifth Third's customers will be able to check account balances, view transaction details and transfer funds. Additionally, endusers will gain access to their account history and can make account balance inquiries through SMS/text messages. Future capabilities will include more advanced mobile transactions and mobile commerce.

According to a news release, because Firethorn is a preferred mobile-commerce enabler, Fifth Third Processing Solutions expects to gain preferred placement of its brand on the wireless handsets to drive adoption.

"At Fifth Third Processing Solutions, we see this relationship as more than reselling Firethorn's products," said Angela Brown, Fifth Third Processing Solutions' senior vice president and general manager of financial institutions services. "It also is an opportunity to creatively leverage the best aspects of both organizations' domain experience, moving mobile commerce to market quickly. This relationship allows us to gain momentum in this growing industry. This is a huge step forward in payment innovation."

Firethorn's collaboration with Fifth Third Processing Solutions is significant for consumers, as the relationship allows Firethorn to bring them relevant content conveniently on their mobile devices in a secure, easy-to-use application.  Eventually, the relationship also will allow Firethorn to bring traditional and non-traditional transactions to Fifth Third's 20 million cardholders and numerous other FIs through the Jeanie Network, as well as through direct connection to other debit- and credit-card networks.