Barclays Pingit: Money goes mobile

While other mobile money transfer apps already exist - such as the PayPal app - Pingit users are only required to have a UK bank account and UK registered mobile phone. But the system still requires the person making the payment to own a smartphone, in contrast to a more accessible electronic payment scheme, like the M-Pesa system used in Kenya where any mobile phone can make a payment.

Barclays is suggesting a range of uses for Pingit such as splitting a bill in a restaurant or making payments to small traders who can’t handle card transactions.

After downloading the app Pingit customers must register to link their phone to their bank account. Once registered, making a payment using Pingit requires the user to enter the phone number of the person they want to make the payment to, enter the amount they want to pay and any message and hit send.

Anyone with a  UK-registered mobile phone and a UK bank account can receive a Pingit payment. Non-Pingit users can register to receive a payment via Pingit through the Barclays website, and will receive a text message confirming the payment.