A mobile banking system

A mobile banking system comprises a mobile banking unit (1) and a data processing centre (2) which may be the mainframe computer (2-1) of the bank responsible for processing banking transactions and data storage. The mobile banking unit (1) includes one or more banking terminals (1-3), such as ATMs, deposit machines and or multi-media enquiry stations. The unit (1) is normally installed on a means of transport (1-1), such as a car, bus or train. Both the mobile banking unit (1) and the data processing centre (2) are equipped with wireless communication devices (1-2 and 2-2) based on one or more mobile telephones, with or without encryption devices and/or modems, so that the mobile telephone wireless network can be used to link up the mobile banking unit (1) and the data processing centre to perform all sorts of banking transactions. Using the mobile telephone wireless network to replace the leased telephone lines currently used for communication between branch banking terminals and the data processing centre should not only increase the flexibility of the bank in offering services to customers in terms of geographical coverage and hours of service but should also lower the overall operating costs of the bank.