The Interbank Mobile Payment Service saw a marginal decline of 1.07% in the total transactions taking place, despite there being a 2.93% increase in total number of Mobile Money IDs (MMID) being issued, according to data published by the National Payments Council of India. The decline reported in June is inconsequential, given that there were only 3883 transactions, and mostly person-to-person payments are taking place; the pilot for merchant transactions only began last month. Only A Few Banks Actively Signing Customers While 23 banks have so far signed up for IMPS, 10 of them are still in soft launch and, it appears, most haven't issued significant MMIDs yet. Between them, Axis Bank (37.28%), ICICI Bank (26.92%), State Bank of India (14.19%) and Union Bank of India (13.61%) account for 92% of the total MMIDs issued. However, given that 21 banks are on board (some of them might become more aggressive with the rollout in time), and that the transaction fee is fairly small, IMPS can surpass other mobile payment methods. It still needs to be implemented and marketed well, merchant tie-ups are inked aggressively, and if banks act as facilitators not inhibitors. Related: - IMPS To Pilot Merchant Transactions; Should Not Increase Rates - Why Are Banks Not Promoting The IMPS Money Transfer Service?
