How Your Bank Branches Are Changing

"Many American consumers know what to expect when they see a bank branch. Typically, the front lobby has a few ATMs, followed by bankers sitting at their desks and tellers standing behind the counters. However, the advent of online and mobile banking has transformed the way we perform financial transactions, and visits to the branch are less frequent." Continue Reading

BofA Grows Mobile Banking As Cost Cuts Lift Earnings

"Bank of America's (BAC) mobile banking customers surged 26% in Q3 from a year ago to 14 million, promising to reduce expenses and boost earnings further. Paying bills and checking balances anywhere via smartphones and tablets are convenient for consumers and businesses.

Because it replaces branches, tellers and ATMs,it can also cut costs per transaction for the bank, contributing to bottom-line growth. BofA earned 20 cents per share in Q3 vs. a break-even quarter a year ago, exceeding Wall Street's target by 2 cents." Continue Reading

Mobile Banking Security

"Since the arrival of ATMs the role of the traditional brick-and-mortar bank has been changing. We shifted from paper money to plastic, and now to digital numbers on your smart phone screen.

With mobile apps, customers can check balances on the go, transfer money between accounts or even deposit a check,without a bank employee ever touching it. But that same information could be vulnerable to hackers." Continue Reading

Mobile banking security: Is it vulnerable to hackers?

"ince the arrival of ATMs the role of the traditional brick-and-mortar bank has been changing. We shifted from paper money to plastic, and now to digital numbers on your smart phone screen. With mobile apps, customers can check balances on the go, transfer money between accounts or even deposit a check,without a bank employee ever touching it. But that same information could be vulnerable to hackers." Continue Reading

Study: Mobile close to equaling ATM as preferred banking channel

"The popularity of mobile banking continues to grow, according to a recent study by the American Bankers Association. A survey of 1,000 U.S. adults revealed that while the Internet remains the most popular banking method, mobile banking has eclipsed the popularity of "snail mail" and landline, and is now preferred by 8 percent of customers, while ATMs are still the preference of 11 percent of customers." Continue Reading

Convergence of mobile banking, ATM channels is a given

"It doesn't take a deep examination to realize that the mobile banking and ATM channels are heading toward convergence. And when the fusion of these dominant channels occurs, the consumer should be at the heart of it.

Auriga, Diebold, NCR and Wincor Nixdorf International have all demonstrated their mobile phone-based cardless cash withdrawal solutions. It is interesting to note that all of these vendors have embraced the QR code technology — a clear endorsement for a technology that is secure, low-cost, and readily available." Continue Reading

Mobile Banking Updates - Aug 18

Ten-Hut! Presenting Defense Mobile, a mobile carrier for U.S. soldiers
"Anyone who has ever spent time in a military town knows there is a whole network of services, ranging from medical and dental care to banking and department stores, provided specifically for members of the U.S. Armed Forces. One of those services, however, isn’t mobile. That’s changing this coming Veterans Day. November 11, a company called Defense Mobile Corporation is launching a new mobile virtual network operator (MVNO), offering inexpensive mobile phone plans for active-duty military and their families as well as for veterans, members of the reserves and even cadets and midshipman in the military academies. Combined those groups encompass 51.6 million people, DMC estimates."

Value-add mobile features offer potential revenue play
"Retail banks can realize the full potential of mobile banking by offering segmented consumer experiences and advanced digital wallet capabilities, according to a study by Cognizant and Monitise. Consumers are increasingly expecting banks to help improve their mobile lifestyles by providing anytime, anywhere capabilities; customized user experiences; shopping and social features, and value-added services. This, the study states, represents a new opportunity for retail banks to drive customer loyalty, attract new business, and generate more revenue."

More than 50 percent of U.S. adults bank online
"Digital banking is on the rise with more adults using the Internet and their mobile phones to handle their financial transactions, according to a new survey released by the Pew Research Center. Fifty-one percent of U.S. adults, or 61percent of Internet users, currently bank online, up from 46 percent of adults, or 58 percent of Internet users in 2010, according to the results of the survey. Also, 35 percent of cell phone owners use their mobile phones to check their balance or transact business with a bank, up from 18 percent in 2011, it said."

BBVA Compass targets small biz with mobile payment tool
"The smallest of small businesses are the target of a technology innovation rolled out by BBVA Compass. The bank’s “business mobility bundle” includes an e-business checking account, online and mobile banking, and a merchant “mobility pack,” with a secured card reader for processing debit and credit card transactions on a smartphone or tablet, a statement from the bank said. The card reader is the bank’s way of competing directly with Square, the mobile payment processor that allows some merchants to ditch their cash registers, Lonnie Hayes, small business segment director at BBVA Compass, told the trade journal American Banker."

The $1.5 Billion Opportunity In Mobile Banking
"If banks want to add another $1.5 billion to their collective bottom line, they should work on promoting mobile banking opportunities and, in particular, mobile deposits. That's according to a July report from Javelin Strategy & Research, which found that banks could see significant savings if they did more to leverage mobile banking. The report notes that not only do mobile transactions cost less to process, but that mobile customers tend to be younger and more affluent -- two traits that make them desirable targets for banks."

Why you may soon be talking to your ATM
"The world of banking has come a long way since the original days of brick-and-mortar establishments. It’s now possible to do your banking from the comfort of your home, potentially without ever stepping foot into a bank. Although it seems as if banking technology couldn’t evolve any farther than ATMs, online banking, and mobile banking apps, it has and will probably continue to. Soon, the entire banking world will be rocked with the introduction of the newest in ATM technology: teller-assisted ATMs."

Mobile Banking Is More Common Among Blacks and Hispanics
"Two independent studies have discovered that mobile banking use is disproportionately higher among blacks and Hispanics than whites. This is contrary to the conventional wisdom which presupposes that minorities lag behind white Americans in technology use. A study by the Pew Center on the Internet and American Life Project, published August 7, found that "Blacks and Hispanics" had a "statistically significant difference compared with others of the same group" for use of a cell phone for mobile banking. 34% of Black cell phone users and 35% of Hispanic cell phone users accessed mobile banking while only 26% of Whites did."

Mobile Banking Updates - July 21

Future Mobile Awards - Winners Announced for Mobile Commerce
"Companies at the forefront of new developments in Mobile Commerce have been honoured in this year’s Juniper Research Future Mobile Awards."

Ad Lab: Banking Billboards, Print Ads And Outdoor Galore
"Here are two more excellent examples further illustrating the powerful relationship between that can be forged between outdoor marketing messages and their environmental context. In the first example from Palmetto Bank, you have to look closely to realize that it is actually a branch entrance in disguise — visitors have to walk right through the bank’s mobile app (quite a metaphor, if you think about it)."

We're witnessing the fastest ever shift in banking
"This week we're celebrating 5 years of the Apple App store (see Wired's commentary.) The realization that in 5 years mobile and apps have had such a huge impact on banking, can not be understated. Of course, there were many in the financial services space that were massively skeptical of the iPhone and Apps when they first launched in 2007. My favorite quotes come from a January 14th, 2007 article on Bloomberg, that contain the following gems:"

Diebold working on cardless ATM project
"Smartphones could replace the plastic card when stopping at the automated teller machine. Diebold has begun fitting ATMs for Wintrust Financial Corp., based in Lake Forest, Ill., so customers can make cash withdrawals using a smartphone. The test project has Diebold working with Paydiant, a company that provides cloud-based mobile payment services for banks and merchants. Wintrust is working with Fidelity National Information Services on the pilot program."

Mobile Banking on the Rise
"Banking has gone mobile. With over half of all American adults, about 56%, sporting smart phones, banks and other financial management tools have quickly adapted their systems to be compatible, secure and easy to use on mobile devices. Many smart phone users have already made the change from traditional to mobile banking and according to Consultants at the Aite Group, the number of people banking on their phones will triple by the year 2016."

Banks struggle to keep up with mobile demand
"While banks all have a mobile banking app, their clients are still pushing for more and more mobile capabilities. So says Mary Monahan, executive vice president and research director for Javelin Strategy & Research, a California company that rates banks on their mobile offerings. She says that many tech-savvy customers still 'cannot open accounts via smartphone, make payments, or deposit checks by snapping photos of them.'"

Mobile Banking Updates - Mar 18

The Future of Mobile Banking
"Mobile banking apps make banking and managing finances more convenient and less time consuming. They also reduce the need for working with loads upon loads of paper, like all those forms you need to fill out in brick-and-mortar banks. The most common activities performed by mobile banking app users include scanning and depositing checks, monitoring account balances and, for some, managing travel or hotel bookings. Many banks also offer online banking options for those who want an easier way to control their cash flow, pay their bills, and locate ATM stations."

For Students, Banking 2.0 Involves Social Media (and the Ads That Go With It)
"Let’s say you’re in college. You’re taking a full load of courses, balancing classes with a work-study job that pays minimum wage, and whether you eat or not depends entirely on the credit still left on your weekly meal plan. Money’s tight and you’re caught in between independence and still having to rely on your parents’ generosity."

Banks must adapt to Hispanics' mobile banking needs, study says
"A recent study has found that as Hispanics across the country embrace mobile technologies, banks hoping to attract Hispanic customers must change their marketing tactics to be more mobile. The “Hispanic Mobile Banking Trends Study” — which was conducted by Zpryme Research and Consulting LLC, an Austin-based research advisory firm, and ThinkNow Research, a California-based Hispanic consumer research firm — found that 69 percent of Hispanics use their smartphone for mobile banking and 49 percent use their tablet for mobile banking."

Mobile Banking Will Help the Poor Prosper
"When it comes to strengthening our financial security, Americans' relative wealth means more access to banking and the kinds of innovative technologies that put financial management and security at our fingertips. In the U.S. and much of Europe, smartphone use is becoming ubiquitous, and virtually every major bank offers app-based banking services. Even in the U. S., however, access to basic banking services isn't as widespread as it may seem. One in 12 American households lacks any kind of deposit account, according to a recent report by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation. In much of the rest of the world, access to formal financial services of any kind is even harder to come by. An estimated 2.5 billion adults lack consistent, reliable financial services, according to data from the World Bank. For three out of four of the world's poorest individuals – those who live on less than $2 per day – access to basic financial tools is nearly non-existent. But there is hope."

Mobile Banking Fees: Money Maker Or Momentum-Killer?
"Will charging for mobile banking apps slow their rate of adoption? We could see an interesting case study in that debate soon, as PNC bank is reportedly considering charging for its mobile check depositing service. PNC’s mBanking features are, as they are for most major banks, currently free for customers. But according to this recent Mobile Commerce Daily piece, the potential to add revenue may be too great a temptation for banks to resist: even if it means fewer people us their services."

Next in Mobile Banking: Photo Bill Payments
"Now that many banking customers are used to depositing paper checks by snapping a photo with their cellphones, some banks are adding another feature: photo bill pay. U.S. Bank this week introduced a mobile “photo bill pay” service, which allows its online and mobile banking customers to snap a photo of a paper bill with their phone and have the information automatically loaded into their account. Then, they can pay the bill electronically. First Financial Bank in Abilene, Tex., began offering the service earlier this year, too. A hat tip to Netbanker for bringing that bank to our attention."

Report: Tablet boost to mobile banking
"A quarter of tablet PC users will use their device to pay bills by 2017. That is one of the headline findings of a new report by Juniper Research. Because of a sharp rise in tablet adoption, Juniper calculates that users of transactional tablet banking services will number almost 200 million in 2017. The research firm says this will account for around 19 per cent of total mobile banking customers in 2017, up from 9 per cent this year."

Mobile Banking Updates - Jan 8

WILL MOBILE BANKING OVERTAKE ATMS IN 2013?
"More customers could deal with their bank via smartphone or tablet application than via the ATM network by the end of 2013, if the current adoption rate of mobile apps continues, according to one of St George Bank’s top technology executives. Speaking as the bank launched upgrades to its growing fleet of mobile apps, St George’s head of mobile, Travis Tyler, said once successful tap-and-go smartphone payment trials underway across the Westpac group are opened up to all customers, he believes mobile will become the most common way for customers to deal with the bank."

More Community Financial Institutions Offer Mobile Banking
"A growing number of community financial institutions are now offering mobile banking, despite continued concern over regulatory obstacles. According to a recent Independent Community Bankers of America study, 37 percent of community FIs currently offer mobile banking — more than twice as many as two years ago. Another 44 percent of community FIs plan to implement the service by 2014."

Banking technology getting more mobile in WNY
"First Niagara Bank is going mobile. The Buffalo-based bank is weeks away from the launch of its first mobile banking product. Bank officials say the free service, to be released in midwinter, is a response to customer demands."

Mobile Banking Updates - Dec 6

Mobile Banking Adoption Grows
"Chase, Bank of America, and USAA are the top mobile banking providers equipped to deal with rising expectations from consumers, according to a new report from Javelin Strategy and Research. Javelin Strategy & Research’s latest report evaluates the 25 leading U.S. retail financial institutions (FIs) mobile banking offerings by comparing features, mobile access, app, Web and text banking, and mobile alerts."

LevelUp to Provide Mobile Payments at Louisville's KFC Yum! Center
"The KFC Yum! Center is the first sports arena to allow visitors to pay with their mobile phone at all hospitality and merchandise stands thanks to hospitality partner Centerplate, which announced that it has tapped LevelUp to provide the KFC Yum! Center's mobile payment experience at 200 merchandise and hospitality stands."

Applying Developing-Market Mobile Banking Models in the Developed World
"A U.S. federal report released in September found that 8.2 percent of households in the country are unbanked. That’s nearly 10 million households, and 17 million adults. Another 20.4 percent are underbanked—or 24 million households, and 51 million adults. Those numbers add up to more than a quarter of the population of the U.S. The percentage of both unbanked and underbanked has increased slightly since the last survey (conducted in 2009). Americans are also using alternative financial services more, including payday loans, check cashing, money orders, pawn shops, etc. Both increases are most likely due to the economic recession and resulting high unemployment rates."

Mobile banking and 'the real world' come together at the ATM
"With all the talk of 'the death of cash,' the trusty old ATM spitting out cash isn't going anywhere anytime soon. But financial services companies are exploring ways to more closely connect smartphones and apps with the ATM, seeing the ubiquitous cash machine as way to link mobile banking and payments to the 'real world.' One way ATM manufacturers are looking at the connection is by offering mobile 'prestaging' of cash withdrawals at the ATM."

New Boston Fed Report on Mobile Payments Technology
"The Federal Reserve Bank of Boston has released a new report entitled, "Mobile Phone Technology: 'Smarter' Than We Thought"."