Bank of America and Citi are the latest financial services giants to consider letting their staff use iPhones and Google Android-based handsets as an alternative to BlackBerrys for corporate e-mail.
Citing three people familiar with the matter, Bloomberg says the banks are currently using around 1000 people to test security software with iPhones. Testing at Bank of America is "advanced" and will be followed by a pilot and then, potentially, a wider implementation.
The banks - which both employ over 250,000 people - are also testing Android-based smartphones, says the wire, as they look to widen choice for staff, not replace BlackBerrys.
Bloomberg reported in September that JP Morgan Chase was carrying out tests before letting staff use iPhones and Android-based handsets, with UBS also considering the move.
In May, Standard Chartered revealed it is switching from BlackBerry to iPhone for its staff and Singapore's Oversea-Chinese Banking Corp has begun offering employees a choice between the two rival manufacturers.
Bank of America, Citigroup Said to Test IPhone for Mobile E-Mail - Bloomberg