Mobile banking has become a popular way to bank in recent years. According to a recent national survey conducted for the , 48% of bank customers participate in mobile banking more than any other form of banking, such as visiting a branch. In 2010, by contrast, only about 13% of Americans were banking on their phone.
So if you’re wondering if you should join the crowd and start mobile banking, let’s count the reasons why it may benefit you.
1. Keep an eye on your accounts 24/7
You can use your laptop or desktop computer to log into your account and review the transactions at any time. Of course, you probably aren’t carrying your computer around everywhere — but your phone is probably with you most of the time. That means your bank can be too.
Consistently keeping an eye on your bank accounts is a good idea too. For example, you may have automatic withdrawals or pending transactions in your checking account; the ability to check in and see that your balance is well in the positive can be incredibly useful. If you see that your balance is low, you can transfer money and avoid a potential .
Also, keep in mind that if your personal information falls into the wrong hands, an identity thief could make fraudulent charges without you knowing about it. Monitoring your bank accounts on a daily basis should ensure that you always know what’s going on with your account, and mobile banking makes that easier.
2. Quickly and easily transfer money
Another big benefit of mobile banking is the ability to . Say you’re at a store and realize you forgot your wallet when you reach the register. Paying with a card saved in your phone’s could save the embarrassment of leaving empty-handed. Or, if you’re out to dinner with friends and want to reimburse the person who paid the bill, you could transfer the money with , and they’d have their money before you even leave the table.
3. Deposit checks from anywhere
is another significant benefit of mobile banking. It’s not always convenient to visit a bank branch or ATM to deposit checks. Plus, bank branches have set hours and close, and you may not feel safe going out to an ATM at night.
If you have mobile banking set up, you can deposit a check from anywhere — including from the comfort of home — as long as you have your phone and an internet connection.
4. Take advantage of online-only banks
are known for offering excellent interest rates on deposit accounts, such as and , as well as charging fewer fees than traditional brick-and-mortar banks. If you’re looking to maximize your bottom line, an online bank can be a great choice.
If you do bank with an online institution, mobile banking is even more handy. And some , such as Simple and GoBank, only operate via mobile applications.
5. Get banking notifications when issues arise
This is one of those under-the-radar benefits of mobile banking. It depends on your financial institution, but many bank apps will offer text alerts when certain transactions occur.
For example, you may want to be notified when a transaction over a certain dollar amount occurs, or any time a transaction goes through, whether it’s for your cell phone bill, an online newspaper subscription, or a streaming service. It can be helpful to know what’s going on with your account and stay on top of the balance.
And if some weird charge goes through that you’re positive you didn’t pay for, that would be good to know right away so you can . In other words, mobile banking keeps you better informed about your money.
Is online mobile banking right for you?
Mobile banking isn’t the best option in every case. If you drop into a bank branch periodically, you may become a familiar face to the staff and may feel that you get better help if you run into problems. Or you may want to put some heirlooms in a safe deposit box, which you can’t do with mobile banking.
Still, overall, mobile banking does make banking faster and more efficient. Some bank apps even allow you to chat with a live banker, so you may be able to get personal customer service with mobile banking.
Making deposits and transfers on your phone may seem unnerving and overwhelming if you haven’t tried it, but once you do, you’ll likely come to realize that if you aren’t banking from your phone, you’re simply making banking harder.