Skip to main content

Smartphones have become the most popular way to bank

mobile banking attitudes mobilebanking
Image used with permission by copyright holder
Your phone has probably been the bank teller you interacted with most this year, but banking analytics firm RateWatch’s 4th Annual Mobile Banking Survey reveals that only 2 percent of the bank customers/members surveyed considered mobile banking their primary banking option. An overwhelming 62 percent considered the old-fashioned banking at the branch as their primary banking option.

Mobile phones may not be the first place people go to for banking needs, but it has become the most popular. More people perform bank transactions through mobile phones than any other means in 2014, according to a recent survey from global management consultancy firm Bain & Co. The firm surveyed roughly 83,000 bank account owners globally and uncovered 35 percent of all banking interactions occurred on mobile phones.

Banks have begun restructuring the way they do business to adapt to the growing number of people who want the bank to live in their pocket. Chase Bank has over 18 million mobile banking customers and Gavin Michael, head of digital at Chase informed The Washington Journal mobile banking’s rise is “redefining how we think about banking.” The banking industry as a whole seems to share this mentality as RateWatch’s survey also revealed the percentage of financial institutions offering mobile banking services has doubled from 41 percent in 2011 to 82 percent in 2014.

Mobile banking is as much about helping customers manage their funds easier as it is about helping financial institutions save money. A 2012 report from business development firm Fiserv explained digital transactions cost banks an average of 17 cents compared to 85 cents for ATM transactions and a relatively gargantuan $4 for teller visits.

Editors' Recommendations

Topics
Keith Nelson Jr.
Former Digital Trends Contributor
Keith Nelson Jr is a music/tech journalist making big pictures by connecting dots. Born and raised in Brooklyn, NY he…
How to turn off Activity Status on Instagram
Instagram on an iPhone.

Instagram is a popular social networking site that allows users to communicate through text, photos, and videos. One of its features is the app's Activity Status, which lets users know when someone was last active on the app or if they are currently online.

Read more
Grab a 4-pack of Apple AirTags while they’re on sale
Person holding an Apple AirTag.

If you're one of those people who always keep misplacing their stuff, then you may want to take advantage of Walmart's offer for the Apple AirTag. Four of the Bluetooth trackers, which will make sure that you never lose anything again, are available for just $80, following a $19 discount on the bundle's original price of $99. There's no telling how long this lowered price will last, so if you think you'll find some use for these tracking devices, it's highly recommended that you proceed with the purchase as soon as possible.

Why you should buy the Apple AirTag
The Apple AirTag is highlighted in our roundup of the best Bluetooth trackers as the top choice if you're invested in the iOS ecosystem. In addition to a quick and easy one-tap setup to link the tracking device to your iPhone or iPad, the Apple AirTag uses Apple's Find My network to keep track of your things. Precision Finding with Ultra Wideband technology will lead you to your Apple AirTag, with the help of the millions of devices in the Find My network that will work together to locate your missing item when you activate Lost Mode.

Read more
Huawei’s gorgeous Pura 70 phones just got expanded availability
Huawei Pura 70 pink, green, white, and black colors.

Huawei Pura 70 Huawei

After being announced for China in mid-April, the Huawei Pura 70 series is now confirmed for the EU market. Those in the European market can expect to preorder the Pura 70, Pura 70 Pro, and the top-tier Pura 70 Ultra starting May 2 for 999 euros, 1,199 euros, and 1,499 euros, respectively. This pricing is in line with what we saw in China, with the Ultra coming in at 9,999 yuan ($1,400) and the base Pura 70 at 5,499 yuan ($760).

Read more