Apparently First Direct is the first UK bank to release a “true transactional” application for the iPhone and iPod Touch and is the first UK banking app for iOS devices which enables the customer to make transactions through their iOS device.

According to an article over on The Telegraph, although other banks such as Royal Bank of Scotland, Ulster Bank and Natwest have dedicated iOS apps, they offer a simply way of online banking offering the ability to view mini-statements or check account balance.

Where the First Direct app for the iPhone differs is in giving the customer the ability to transfer money between accounts and also make payments.

The chief Executive of First Direct, Matt Colebrook said… “This is about making the banking experience simpler and quicker, allowing our iPhone enabled customers to access key features of our internet banking; whenever they want and wherever they want,” and continued with…” The iPhone App is as a huge step forward, but it’s just the beginning of our ambitions for mobile banking. Our plans for 2011 are to make our ‘on the go’ mobile service available on other smartphone devices.”

The Banking on the go app from First Direct is a free download available for the iPhone and iPod Touch running iOS 3.1 or above and can be downloaded to your chosen device by hitting up iTunes.