The announcement of the group’s mobile strategy was accompanied by the launch of a national pilot of UBS FA Mobile, an application for the iPad that will allow the firm's financial advisors to work with clients by accessing desktop and proprietary tools while away from their offices. The pilot program starts on 1 December and lasts for three months.

Specifically, the app extends advisors’ mobile access to proprietary research and client materials, including client account and contact data, market data, analyst research, full email capabilities and other services, the Swiss bank said in a statement yesterday.

The pilot phase follows a development process led by UBS' technology group that included asking advisors for their views as well as getting technical development and advice from Silicon Valley-based Framehawk, a technology firm.

UBS plans to follow the three-month pilot period with a national launch of the platform to FAs beginning March 2012.