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.

The increase of mobile banking has lead to a rise in number and variety of supporting financial apps. With the touch of a finger, mobile users can easily check anything from international stock prices to loan and interest rates.

Mobile wallets are smart phones or tablets that record consumers payments and transactions. While some large banks are attempting to break into this industry, other companies like Pay-Pal, Google and Apple have already shown interest in the industry. These mobile wallets and spending apps, make it easy for consumers to keep track of spending, but have little impact on how they save.

Other apps have been developed to help consumers grow their savings. Although many banks offer rewards or round-up programs, building a nest egg can be difficult. SavedPlus is a mobile app that enables users to save while they spend. The app, which is connected to users’ bank accounts, is designed to automatically transfer a set amount or a percentage of that purchase to savings. This way users can set the amount they want to save and have the money transferred without ever really knowing it’s gone.

Just as the shift from traditional to online banking, the shift from online to mobile will not come without a few bumps. Consumer demands and use patterns will inevitably steer the path of mobile banking. Some apps will float, others will sink, but efficiency and speed are certain to increase. Never before have consumers had the capability to store and manage so many financial resources in the palm of their hands.