Minty fresh finance tracking

Last Friday online finance manager Mint.com launched an iPhone application, enabling users to track credit and debit card spend from their handsets. The service is now the top finance offering in the App Store, the company reports.

Like its online site, Mint's iPhone app lets users view balances, monitor budgets and check their net worth in real-time. In the event that an iPhone is lost or stolen, access to the app can be disconnected from the website. But because of the sensitive nature of the information, Mint recommends that users password-protect their mobile units.

Mint.com aggregates personal credit card, debit card, loan and stock market information. Expenses and cash infusions are tracked near real-time, complete with the ability to set budgets and graph expenditure.

To make money, the company partners with financial institutions to offer low-APR credit cards to its customers. It also sells location-based consumer purchasing data to third parties.