Mobile Banking Updates - Dec 30

Mobile Banking Forecast: Smartphone and Tablet Use in the United States
"A new report from Aite Group provides financial services executives with guidance on the most important mobile banking features for investment. Based on a Q2 2012 Aite Group survey of 1,115 U.S. consumers, the report forecasts consumer mobile device use for a variety of financial transactions and activities."

First Niagara Bank Launches Mobile Banking Apps
"First Niagara Bank has released the first version of its native mobile-banking applications. Now available for download through the Apple App Store and Google Play store, First Niagara’s mobile apps allow customers to view account balances, access transaction history, transfer money between First Niagara accounts, pay bills and locate the nearest branch or ATM."

Mobile banking expected to triple from 2012 to 2016
"The future of mobile banking is strong, according to a new report from analysts at Aite Group. The Boston-based research firm said that approximately 7,000 financial institutions in the U.S. now offer mobile banking services and that more will deploy them in the years ahead, judging by growing consumer demand."

NatWest and RBS mobile banking apps falter
"NatWest and Royal Bank of Scotland (RBS) customers have been unable to access their bank accounts through their mobile phones just as consumers try to keep tabs on spending in the run-up to Christmas. Ulster Bank, business, commercial and offshore account holders also experienced problems with intermittent access to their respective mobile apps today. While service has now been restored for most customers using iPhone, Blackberry and Android phones, this incident comes just two months after NatWest had to suspend its Get Cash mobile phone application amid reports that some customers had hundreds of pounds withdrawn by fraudsters."

Mobile banking useful, not universal
"If you've seen any bank commercials lately, you'd think mobile banking is a standard feature on bank accounts these days. But while it's gaining in popularity, it's still not a given that your bank offers it. There are now around 7,000 financial institutions offering mobile banking to retail banking customers, according to an estimate in a new report by Aite Group. Considering there are about a little more than 14,000 banks, thrifts and credit unions in the country, according to data from the Federal Deposit Insurance Corp. and the National Credit Union Administration, that means about half of all financial institutions offer customers the ability to bank on their cellphones."