With the new technology, the users of the iPhone will be able to surf onto the first direct website and access all their online banking services as they could from a personal computer.

Chris Pilling, chief executive of first direct, said: When we launched in 1989 we were known for our unprecedented use of technology, which allowed our customers to contact us 24 hours a day, every day of the year, and for our exceptional service. Eighteen years on, we are still using cutting-edge technology to make life easier for British consumers.

We currently have over 875,000 internet banking users, and by working with the iPhone we will be giving our customers the opportunity of doing their banking when, where and how they want to.