Cincinnati-based UniRush LLC is helping to blur the already fuzzy lines between prepaid cards, mobile banking and mobile payments. The company announced today it has launched mobile applications for Android and iPhone smartphones that let users of its RushCard prepaid Visa debit card manage their accounts from their mobile devices.

According to the company's announcement, RushCard users can now check balances and review transaction and transfer history on their smartphones. Additionally, RushCard members can use the applications to send money to other RushCard members, with iPhone users even able to use bump technologies to transfer funds.

The company also announced its RushCard website has been optimized for mobile phone browsers to help smartphone users not using Android or iPhone devices.

"The Android and iPhone apps are yet another channel we've provided to members to help them manage their money on the go," said Ram Palaniappan, president of RushCard. "Since many of our cardholders are using web-enabled phones, the RushCard apps provide an invaluable money management tool for busy cardholders."

UniRush bills its RushCard as an option for America's 60 million unbanked or underbanked consumers to gain access to basic financial services. According to the company, benefits of the RushCard include direct deposit, online budgeting tools and the ability to withdraw funds from an estimated 850,00 ATMs worldwide.

Consumers without access to financial services are becoming an important target market for mobile payment companies in the U.S. looking to replicate the success of mobile payment methods in developing economies around the world.

For more stories like this, please visit our Mobile Banking research center.