In 2007, Safaricom launched M-Pesa (M for mobile and Pesa- a Swahili word for money) which lets users deposit, transfer and withdraw funds via text message.

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Prominent examples include MoneyBox Africa and M-PESA, mobile-phone based money transfer services that allow customers to deposit and withdraw money, transfer money to others, pay bills and make purchases.

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M-PESA, launched in 2007, provides banking transactions without the need to visit a bank branch by using mobile phones and 19, 500 agents where customers can deposit and withdraw money, pay bills, purchase airtime and transfer money to other users and nonusers.

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Headquartered in San Diego, Mitek Systems (NASDAQ: MITK) is a mobile imaging software solutions provider that allows users to remotely deposit checks, pay their bills, get insurance quotes, and transfer credit card balances by snapping a picture with their camera-equipped smartphones and tablets instead of using the device keyboard.

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MMRF, the alliance has also established a biobank so that its constituent groups can deposit tissue samples and clinical data, using standardised consent forms, material transfer agreements and other paperwork a potential treasure trove for researchers interested in testing drugs for these conditions.

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