Barclays bank has just launched a mobile phone banking site extending its portfolio of online services.

Registered Barclays customer can now gain access via www.barclays.mobi via web enabled mobiles.

This service will allow the 1.9 million online registered banking customers to check their account details including balance and statements and the bank plans to add more functionality and services shortly.

Questions have been raised as to how popular the service will be with the banks customers.

Barclays is the third major bank to offer this service with HSBC and First Direct launching services last year. Currently both banks charge customers a set fee every time the service is used.

Barclays is currently leading the way with security services offering SMS text alerts payment confirmation systems to attempt to combat possible fraud.