CaixaBank creates the world's first financial application for vehicles fitted with Ford SYNC with AppLink

The bank begins developing of services for new auto industry technology

• The initial service is a branch and ATM locator, featuring real-time geo-positioning and voice control technology.

CaixaBank has developed its Línea Abierta mobile banking application to render it compatible with the Ford Sync AppLink system. CaixaBank, overseen by Chairman Isidro Fainé and CEO Gonzalo Gortázar, thus becomes the world's first bank to create services for vehicles equipped with smart systems.

The first function developed by CaixaBank for Ford vehicles fitted with the Ford Sync AppLink system is a geo-location service, providing users with information on the nearest branches and ATMs. Motorists will now be able to locate the closest branches and ATMs to their position in real time, without having to get out of their cars. The application can also be voice controlled, meaning it can be used whilst in motion.

As well as displaying the exact location of branches and ATMs on-screen, the application also provides users with basic contact information and opening hours. It also allows offers the option to contact the branch by phone.

SYNC with AppLink

Ford's SYNC connectivity system allows users to connect mobile devices to their vehicles and control the same using voice commands. Thanks to the SYNC with AppLink system, Ford customers are also able to control some of their favourite mobile device applications via voice commands while driving, with no need to remove their hands from the steering wheel or their eyes from the road.

Ford has been a pioneer of on-board mobile connection services in the auto industry. Its voice command system, SYNC, has been available to Ford customers in the USA since 2007 and in Europe since 2012. SYNC technology is now available on the entire range of Ford models, with millions of vehicles currently on the roads all over the world equipped with said technology.

In 2013 Ford launched its Ford Developer Program, opening limitless possibilities for customisation of the on-board user experience via applications.

The first financial application for the vehicle environment, created by CaixaBank in partnership with Ford, now joins the applications available for SYNC with AppLink, which already includes popular services such as Spotify, Parkopedia, AUPEO, Audioteka, Glympse and many mrore.

CaixaBank, a leader in digital banking

CaixaBank serves more than 4 million mobile service customers, 3.4 million of which use the Línea Abierta application. Overall the bank processes 120 million mobile transactions on a monthly basis, of which 33% involve fund transfers.

The bank also has 70 applications available, which have been downloaded more than 10 million times.

CaixaBank is currently considered one of the leading mobile financial service providers. CaixaBank is the world's second best provider of mobile banking services according to the 2014 Global Mobile Banking Functionality Benchmark report by Forrester, based on evaluations of mobile applications provided by 32 major banks across Europe, America and Australia.

This recognition follows other international awards given to the bank, presided over by Chairman Isidro Fainé and CEO Gonzalo Gortázar, for innovation. CaixaBank recently won the Innovative Spirit in Banking accolade at the 2014 Global Banking Innovation Awards, organised by the Bank Administration Institute and Finacle. Likewise, CaixaBank was named World's Most Innovative Bank by the British magazine Euromoney, for which it competed against banks from all over the world.