Mobile Banking

What is it

Mobile banking refers to the use of a smartphone or other cellular device to perform online banking tasks while away from your home computer, such as monitoring account balances, transferring funds between accounts, bill payment and locating an ATM.

How it works/Example:

Mobile banking typically operates across all major mobile providers in the U.S. through one of three ways: SMS messaging; mobile web; or applications developed for iPhone, Android or Blackberry devices.

Mobile text and alert is the simplest, allowing the user to transfer funds or access account information via text message. Texting terminology varies from bank to bank, but the overall function is generally the same. For example, texting "Bal" will obtain the account balance while "Tra" will allow inter-account transfers. Users need to first register and verify their phone numbers with their bank, but once that's completed, they can also set up alerts to let them know about negative balances or deposit confirmations.

Mobile web is the second mobile banking option. Similar to online account access from a home-based computer, this option allows for checking balances, bill payment and account transfers simply by logging into the user's account via a mobile web browser.

Mobile banking applications for Android, iPhone and Blackberry, connect the user directly to the bank server for complete banking functionality without having to navigate a mobile web browser. These applications can be downloaded either through the bank's website or through the iTunes store.

Some banks are taking the technology one step further with account rewards confirmation, person-to-person payments (P2P) and, more importantly, remote deposit capture (RDC) capability.