"The days of online banking being limited to desktop computers are over. Modern consumers are increasingly interacting with their banks using mobile devices such as tablets and smartphones.

Understanding the popularity and value of on-the-go banking services, a handful of financial companies are beginning to introduce websites with “responsive design” to optimize their digital resources across the online and mobile channels." Continue Reading

"Wells Fargo, which was one of the first banks to offer mobile banking apps to business customers in 2007, has been making some updates. First and foremost, it's created a browser-based, mobile-optimized CEO Mobile site. The site was built in-house in HTML5 using the open source YUI framework for building interactive web applications. All 89 web apps within the current CEO corporate portal are being re-architected and recoded for the new site." Continue Reading

Apps, a continuing debate: HTML5 vs. Native
"I wrote my last blog about the Future of Mobile Banking Conference more than two months ago, before a busy June, summer holidays, and the Olympics. It’s now time to meet my promise to highlight some of the key points of discussion. One topic which came up several times was the on-going debate between HTML5 and native apps. It’s an interesting debate and an important one, since the decision not only affects the technologies which you will use, but also the resources you will hire, the development and maintenance costs you will pay, and the resultant quality, usability, and performance of your mobile apps. For this reason, a lot of clients with which I have spoken are still struggling to define their mobile development strategy and take a decision one way or the other."

Popular Community Bank Launches Business Mobile Banking App
"Popular Community Bank, one of the nation's premier community banks and a subsidiary of Popular, Inc., announced the launch of the Popular Community Bank Business Mobile application for iPhone® and Android™ devices. This latest advance to the bank’s Mobile Banking Platform has special features for small and mid-size business owners and their staff to manage finances from virtually anywhere."

Technical glitch shuts down cell phone, online banking for Virginia Credit Union
"The problems with Virginia Credit Union’s online banking have been resolved. Full service was restored to members earlier this evening and all systems are functioning normally, said a Glenn Birch, spokesperson for the bank. 'We apologize for the inconvenience to our members and thank them for their patience,' said Birch."

BBVA Compass announces launch of enhanced BlackBerry® App
"BBVA Compass today launched version 2.0 of its free BlackBerry app, adding to its suite of mobile banking capabilities. 'As part of our commitment to continually update all of our mobile banking apps, our new BlackBerry 2.0 app delivers an improved user experience and features new functionality that will be appreciated by our customers,' said Alex Carriles, executive vice president and director of Mobile Strategy and Retail Innovation at BBVA Compass."

Mobile Banking Usage Hitting Stride, Bank Innovation Data Shows
"If you are waiting for mobile banking to take off, wait no longer. The latest Bank Innovation Monitor data shows that usage frequency by consumers of mobile banking services is starting to hockey-stick higher. According to Bank Innovation Monitor 3Q11 data, the usage frequency of the most common mobile banking tool -- check account balance -- climbed to nearly two to three times a week versus close to once a week in the first quarter of 2011. "

Mobile banking: the substance behind the hype
"There has been a lot of debate lately as to whether mobile banking and payments are more than just hype, with cynics purporting that consumer adoption will not take off. While consumers may not be rushing to get their hands on the latest banking app (yet), there is no doubt that a step change in consumer behaviour is taking place."

Mobile banking and social media key to engaging 'Generation Y', report says
"Mobile banking and social media are both key to financial institutions engaging effectively with ‘Generation Y’ banking customers, a new report has revealed. A study by Efma and in conjunction with Oracle showed that the quality of engagement and communication in real-time are important parts of a successful Generation Y strategy."

mopay's Mobile Banking Platform now Supports HTML5
"With HTML5 gearing up to be the new standard of code to create desktop and online applications, mopay, a company known for its innovative payment solutions for online merchants, has upgraded its mobile banking platform to support HTML5 services and games. By opening up new ways of integrating media into website and Web apps with no additional plug-ins, HTML5 is being considered as the hottest cross-industry trend for online companies worldwide."

Absa cellphone banking sees 65% growth
"According to statistics released by Absa, cellphone banking transactions between the company’s three mobile banking services have increased by 65 percent year-on-year. 'Cellphone Banking adoption continues to beat expectations,' says Absa Retail Bank Chief Executive, Gavin Opperman. 'In 2011, we will see transaction values of about R10 billion transferred via the mobile channels.'”

CommBank sets sights on HTML5
"The Commonwealth Bank of Australia has revealed plans to focus on emerging web language HTML5 for its mobile banking offerings. When the bank showcased its range of mobile applications in March, developers said they needed to work on various mobile platforms natively to get the most out of each device. Native app development was particularly important for the Commonwealth Bank’s property guide, which used the camera and mapping capabilities of Apple’s iPhone."

National Bank of Kuwait launches advanced mobile banking application
"NBK General Manager, Consumer Banking Group, Mazin Saad Al Nahedh, said, 'The new mobile banking application is aligned with NBK's commitment to providing its customers with the best and most up-to-date banking services. NBK Mobile banking is safe and easy to use, offering customers banking services with the added convenience of their mobile devices. NBK is keen on developing services that meet demands and extend its reach to make banking more convenient for customers.'"

How do banks monetise mobile channels?
"The era of mobile banking and mobile payments is dawning. Around the world and across the banking value chain, everyone is waking up to the huge potential of a market that is changing the way customers interact with financial institutions.

Banks are responding to this mobile evolution in a number of ways. Some are getting ahead of customer demands by developing and deploying innovative mobile solutions with an eye towards gaining market share and driving new sources of revenue. Others are waiting for standards to be set and for customer demand to hit critical mass."

Leapfrogging from e-banking to m-banking
"Mobile banking in India is still at its nascent stage, the country’s 800-plus mobile subscriber base combined with lack of proper banking infrastructure and low penetration of computers and broadband offers big scope for the service in the country. Though e-banking using mobile phones is a convenient utility service for users, it is used by only about 1.96 million or 12% of the 16.4 million active mobile Internet consumers in the top eight metros of the country, according to a recent report by Internet and Mobile Association of India or IAMAI."