An overwhelming majority (94%) of U.S. consumers say that banking on their mobile device is easy and more than three quarters (77%) feel it is convenient, but only 42% believe it is reliable, according to a new study by Infosys.

The survey also found that slow speed and a lack of confidence in the protection of their data are the top reasons consumers do not use mobile banking more often (31% and 30%, respectfully), followed by 26% who cite inconvenient viewing features (e.g., small type and other user interface issues).

Interestingly, when comparing mobile banking users and non-users, a quarter of the former say that a lack of confidence in the protection of their data is a top concern, and that number more than doubles to 60% among non-users. Moreover, nearly all consumers polled (96%) feel most comfortable or secure while banking on their home computer, edging out comfort levels even at the bank itself (93%), on an ATM (84%), smartphone (83%), or work computer (52%).

Additional findings of the Infosys survey shows:

Nearly half (45%) of consumers who do not use online banking believe that mobile banking is "experimental" or "dangerous," and more than a third (38%) say it is "scary." In fact, non-users are three times as likely to say "scary," and almost four times as likely to say "dangerous" than mobile banking users.

While 60% of consumers who do not use mobile banking cite a lack of confidence in the protection of their personal or financial data as a top concern, nearly the same amount (55%) share private information when updating their Facebook status on smartphones.

Nearly 80% of all consumers like the mobile banking benefit of 24-hour access to their account, but only 48% are happy with the speed of service and only 46% with ease of log in.

Reviewing data and balancing checking accounts are the most useful features of mobile banking (both cited by 71% of consumers), followed closely by having account accuracy with the same information from web to mobile device (69%).

Only 42% of consumers cite the ability to communicate with customer service as a useful benefit of mobile banking.

"The mobile phone is ubiquitous, and for financial institutions it must be viewed as the gatekeeper to the consumer of the future," says Ashok Vemuri, member of the board and head of the Americas at Infosys. "Our research shows that mobile banking users like ease and convenience but at the same time demand and expect seamless service, while non-users still face security fears. There is phenomenal opportunity for banks to listen to feedback from early adopters and set the pace around customer experience in the digital world."

Other key findings confirm the increasing investments and industry buzz around mobile banking: consumer interest is on the rise. Nearly 60% of all respondents say their view of mobile banking services has improved over the past year. In addition, the majority (61%) of non-users say they are likely to try mobile banking in the future.

"With ever-increasing smartphone adoption rates, it's perhaps no surprise that interest in mobile banking also is on the rise," Vemuri says. "We continue to see the business case for technology investments here, yet for many financial institutions, the newly mobile world is still a daunting place. The Infosys study underscores that to get the most ROI, banks must provide the same comfort and trust level across channels—online, in the branch, or on a mobile phone."

The Infosys mobile banking poll was conducted by an independent research firm between Feb. 22 and Feb. 27, via an online survey among 1,000 respondents in the United States. To qualify for the survey, respondents had to be active smart phone users (have downloaded an application in the past six months) and indicate that they use online banking services.

 

 

[This article was posted on May 8, 2012, on the website of ABA Banking Journal, www.ababj.com.]  

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