China Bank Corp has launched its online and mobile banking services in the Philippines this past week.

The new site enables China Bank retail and commercial customers to perform basic banking services like balance inquiry, inter-bank fund transfer, bill payments, and online purchases of select pre-paid cards.  In addition, corporate customers can route Bureau of Internal Revenue and Social Security Service payments through the China Bank web-based portal.

The new China Bank site also offers some unique online services it hopes will differentiate its online services from other local banks.  China Bank customers also get free email accounts and mobile phone-based alerts.

China Bank has partnered with Starbucks for its China Bank Online Center, a retail venue showcasing the bank's online services.  Located at the China Bank office on Paseo de Roxas, the center provides computers, Wi-Fi access, ATMs and a comfortable atmosphere where customers can relax while performing their banking tasks.  

The China Bank café promotional concept is similar to the cafes operated by online bank ING Direct in the U.S..  ING Direct offers three coffee houses where customers can get free Internet access, learn about ING Direct products and can attend personal financial seminars.  The ING Direct cafes also provide the virtual bank physical presence to promote its brand.

Other financial brands that have integrated café concepts into some of their branches are Bank of America and E*Trade.