A recent web based survey, looking for the most convenient “on-the-go” banking experiences found the following mobile banking offerings from four of the US’ most popular banks.
Chase
Chase offers applications for iPad, iPhone, iPod Touch and BlackBerry as well as access to accounts via standard text messaging.
Chase iPhone App
- Cost: Free. Client must be enrolled in Chase Mobile to make transactions with app.
- Standard functions: Text banking allows client to see account balances, review transaction history and check credit card due dates. The mobile app is much more helpful: Client can pay bills and schedule payments through Chase Online Bill Pay, transfer money between Chase accounts, wire money to outside accounts, and check balances and history.
- Extras: The Chase Mobile app includes a helpful “Find ATM/Branch” feature that uses the phone’s geo-location capabilities to find the nearest Chase branches. The app also provides the hours, contact information and number of ATMs at each branch. If the client needs help managing his/her accounts, the “Contact Us” tab includes one touch dialing to Chase’s help lines.
- Aesthetic appeal: The Chase Mobile app runs quickly on the iPhone and features easy-to-read white text on Chase’s familiar blue background.
Bank of America has a standard text messaging banking system as well as apps that work on the BlackBerry, iPad, iPhone and iPod Touch devices.
Bank of America iPhone App
- Cost: Free. Clent must be enrolled in the Bank of America “Online Banking” service to use certain features of the app.
- Standard functions: Bank of America’s text banking lets client check account balances, view credit card account details and see transaction history. The BofA app allows the client to access account details and balances, transfer funds to other Bank of America accounts and pay bills.
- Extras: The BofA app helps the cleint find nearby locations based on the phone’s geo-location abilities. One can also input a zip code or address in order to plan ahead.
- Aesthetic appeal: The BofA app uses smaller fonts and weaker colors than the Chase platform does. It also takes a bit longer to load pages.
Citibank boasts three separate mobile apps. One works on the iPhone and iPad, the second on the iPod Touch, BlackBerry and Palm smartphones, and the third on many kinds of basic cell phones.
Citibank iPhone
- Cost: Free. User must be a Citibank client to make any transfers or view account information.
- Standard Functions: All three of Citbank’s apps allow the user to view balances, wire money to others and transfer money between your Citibank accounts. The iPhone and iPad versions also allows the client to track their Citibank credit card accounts.
- Extras: If the user wants to be reminded often of the status of her accounts, the cleint can sign up for a very comprehensive text alert system. The cleint can choose to be alerted when your balance dips below a certain level, when deposits are made, when bills are due or when CD accounts are about to mature, for example. The iPhone and smartphone apps provide lists of the bank branches closest to the phone’s current location. The user can also search by zip code or address.
- Aesthetic appeal: Citigroup’s app suffers from the same ailment as many other iPhone and smartphone platforms: Some of the fonts are too small for comfortable reading.
Wells Fargo users have access to apps for Blackberry, iPhone, iPad and iPod Touch, as well as the ability to get account info via text message.
Wells Fargo iPhone
- Cost: Free. To access account information or make transactions you must be a Wells Fargo Mobile customer.
- Standard Functions: The iPhone app allows the cleint to check available balances, monitor credit card activity, transfer funds and pay bills. The bank’s text service provides balance and account activity information.
- Extras: The Wells Fargo application includes bank-finding functionality and the ability to filter search results depending on what services each particular branch offers. If the user does not have any room for additional apps on his iPhone, he can visit wf.com, which has a fast and easy-to-use site that fits the iPhone perfectly.
- Aesthetic appeal: Wells Fargo’s mobile properties have a very standard look (not nearly as slick as Chase’s offering). But the apps load screens quickly and the app’s toggle menus make searching for branches easy.