The bank on Tuesday said it is launching secure mobile banking for its 21 million online banking customers. The service will be launched in Tennessee beginning in March and will be rolled out to other cities across the country through midyear.

"We're taking convenience and control to a new level by providing customers with the ability to stay connected with their finances even when they're on the go," said Sanjay Gupta, e-commerce executive for Bank of America, in the statement. "If you have a cell phone, you have the opportunity to take advantage of the latest innovation from the country's leading online bank."

Customers who have mobile Internet access through Verizon Wireless, Sprint Nextel, Cingular Wireless or T-Mobile will be able to access the new service. Customers will also be able to use a wide variety of mobile phones and devices, including Motorola, Nokia and LG handsets or smart phones, such as the Palm Treo, BlackBerry or Motorola Q.

Using the new service, consumers will be able to do the following:

- Check account balances for checking, savings and credit card accounts, as well as mortgages and home equity lines held with Bank of America.