"SunTrust Banks, Inc. STI +1.20% announced today that it is giving away two tablets every day from now through the end of January to promote the use of Online Banking and Mobile Banking, including the new SunTrust Tablet App for iPad.

These digital tools will allow consumers the flexibility they're seeking by giving them access to SunTrust banking solutions whenever and wherever they choose." Continue Reading

Mobile Banking Crosses the 300 Million Users Mark Worldwide as Financial Institutions Seek to Capture Developing Markets
"'Business case or not, financial institutions broadly know that mobile is no longer optional,' says a recent article in ABA Banking Journal. Mobile networks now cover between 85-90% of the world's population. The number of mobile phones in use around the world in 2011 reached six billion while the number of mobile banking users worldwide reached 300 million with adoption of the service in developed countries growing significantly."

Pew Report Finds Smartphone Users Eschewing Apps
"A new report from the Pew Research Center’s Internet & American Life project may bolster the conventional wisdom in the credit union industry that security concerns could be impacting mobile banking adoption. A survey conducted among 2,254 adults this spring found that 54% of smartphone app users chose not to install an app when they discovered how much personal information was needed in order to use it, Pew researchers said."

Banks begin to mobilise the forces
"When St George’s head of eChannels Travis Tyler told the bank’s technology chief that he wanted to let people apply for credit cards through their mobile phone, the first reaction was disbelief. 'I told Travis ‘no one will want to do that’,' says St George chief information officer Dhiren Kulkarni."

Missouri Credit Union Survey Finds Nearly 40% Mobile
"Nearly 40% of 2,084 people who participated in an online survey said they are using mobile banking, according to a Consumer Attitude Report released by the Missouri Credit Union Association in St. Louis. The non-scientific, statewide survey also found that across all age groups (18 to 65+), Missouri consumers use mobile banking primarily for confirming payments, balancing checking accounts, transferring money, account alerts and paying bills."

10 Best Apps for Mobile Banking and Finance
"The major banks and brokerage firms are making mobile banking and trading easier than ever with apps on the iPhone, iPad and Android platforms. This way, you can be in control of your money even when you leave the bank’s branch or are not by your computer. From checking account balances to cautiously monitoring your 401(k) returns, we uncover the benefits of the major banking and stock apps…and they’re all free."

Wells Fargo, SunTrust Add Mobile Check Deposit To Banking Apps
"When it comes to personal banking, the smartphone can now accomplish most of what a bank teller or an ATM can do, aside from actually dispensing cash (iPhone 6 feature, perhaps?). Two more big banks, including Wells Fargo and Sun Trust, have revamped their banking apps to allow customers to make deposits on the go by snapping a photo of a paper check using a smartphone's built-in camera."

Branchless banking soaring high
"The growth momentum of the branchless banking sector - still in its early stages - ceases to amaze. The sector is leapfrogging ahead despite inherent sectoral difficulties and overall challenging macro conditions. The recently released fourth quarterly issue of the SBPs BB newsletter series shows yet another period of impressive all-round gains in the sector. To start with, the BB services penetration increased by a handsome 37 percent between April and June, for the registered number of mobile banking accounts is said to have reached 1.45 million as of June end. The push came from a 3.7 times quarterly increase in Level 0 (basic) accounts that now represent 25 percent of total accounts. "

SunTrust Enhances Mobile App with Mobile Deposit Capability
"SunTrust Banks, Inc. (NYSE: STI) recently enhanced its Mobile App with "SunTrust Mobile Deposit" for clients with iPhone or Android devices. The added service provides clients with the ability to take photos of checks and deposit them remotely. In addition to the convenience provided by SunTrust Mobile Deposit, other key features of the service include:"

Banno Unveils New Features for Grip, Strengthens the Mobile Banking Standard with Pre-Transaction Insights
"Banno (formerly T8 Webware), the provider of progressive, custom-branded mobile applications, websites and personalized payment card services, introduced new enhancements to Grip, its financial decision support tool, at FinovateFall. With Grip, financial institutions can brand and offer an app that provides comprehensive mobile support for purchase decisions. Its new features are designed to bridge the gap in mobile information, from the traditional balances and statements, to real purchasing ability."

CapTech Develops Navy Federal's Updated Mobile Banking Applications
"CapTech is pleased to announce the release of Navy Federal Credit Union's updated mobile banking apps for iPhone and Android. CapTech architected, developed and project managed the mobile apps and service tier based on business requirements and designs created by Navy Federal. The updated mobile apps provide Navy Federal members with a beautiful and simple native experience to deposit checks, transfer funds and pay their credit card from anywhere in the world using an iPhone or Android mobile phone. CapTech worked with Navy Federal's design team to implement a new native app experience that as a result has nearly doubled the average user rating for both apps."

CREALOGIX announces new product for mobile authentication, mobile banking
"Switzerland-based supplier of e-banking solutions, CREALOGIX, has announced its latest product for secure authentication on smart phones. CLX.MobileSecurity, will enable access using the audio interface of a mobile device’s NFC functionality, without losing any of the required security."

Fast-Growing Companies in 2012: Technology
"Mobile banking technology developer mFoundry has announced a number of notable additions to its list of clients this year, following an 18ドル million infusion of growth capital in late 2011. The Larkspur-based firm, launched in 2004, currently provides cloud-based mobile banking and payments to over 700 banks and credit unions nationwide and one-third of the top 50 financial institutions in the United States. The company reports 10 million users, and also operates the Starbucks Card Mobile platform for Starbucks Coffee Company."

For Popular of Illinois, Small-Business Mobile Banking Is All About Entitlements
"To provide mobile banking for their small-business clients, some banks recast and remarket their consumer mobile banking programs rather than create something new. The critical piece that such an approach lacks is entitlements — giving the small-business owner a say in who can do what in the business account, says Javier Reyes, vice president, manager of cash management services for Popular Community Bank, Chicago. The bank last week launched a homegrown small-business banking application."

Want banking innovation? Stop hiring bankers!
"The shifting landscape of providers offering banking services is likely to force the (till date) in-bred banking sector to make acquisitions outside, bringing in leaders with techno-business backgrounds at the helm of bread-and-butter businesses divisions rather than just at the fringes (e.g. "Head of Mobile Banking") as has been the case so far. From being the "electronic data processing" department, technology in banks has come a long way."

How Mobile Is Changing Community Banks
"Some community banks are quickly leveling the playing field with larger ones in the mobile channel, introducing services like mobile remote deposit capture and mobile P2P almost immediately after (or sometimes even before) the bigger banks get around to it. But mobile is also changing the traditional value proposition of a community bank where you walk through the branch door and everyone knows you. Instead of going to the branch, people are using their mobile devices for simple transactions, potentially making it more difficult for community banks to deliver the personal touch that is at the heart of their value to the customer."

Numbers: Sunny Outlook for Mobile Banking (U.S.)
"ComScore's latest mobile usage numbers provide useful context as you head in to the 2013 business planning cycle. With 42 million monthly smartphone users, mobile banking penetration (38%) is similar to other specialized information services such as sports (39%), news (49%), and movie info (30%)."

SunTrust updates smartphone app to accept mobile deposits
"In keeping step with banking giants Bank of America, Wells Fargo and First Tennessee, SunTrust Banks Inc. has released an update to its mobile banking smartphone app to include mobile deposits. Using their smartphone’s camera, SunTrust (NYSE: STI) customers can now take a picture of the front and back of their checks to submit them for deposit."

Do Banks Really Need To "Own" Mobile Banking?
"Australian Banks have often been at the forefront of global banking trends, or at the very least, fast followers that learn quickly from the mistakes of others. In Australia, mobile banking has quickly become a "war" amongst the majors with a range of different banking services and approaches - from basic access to transactional histories, transfers, payments, integrated retail services, and even near-field-communications-based micro-payments systems. But how much of the mobile banking channel do banks really need to own? Most banks no longer own or operate their own ATM networks. They control the flow of transactions through that channel, but they generally have little to no interest in owning the assets or operating ATM cash management processes."

Taking a mobile and a wallet to the shops?
"Making payments on the move and at the touch of a button isn't the future of banking; it's already here. Mobile phone providers have been quick to focus on finding new ways for customers to access financial services and products from their phones. The Barclays PingIt app is now open to all UK bank and building society accounts, for example, and the Orange Quick Tap app will be available on new Android handsets in the coming weeks, but it is O2 taking all the headlines with the launch of its all-encompassing O2 Wallet this week."

Payments 2012: Mobile Banking Users More Profitable and Loyal
"Those who use mobile banking are among the most loyal and profitable bank customers, according to Ginger Schmneltzer, SVP of digital channel management for SunTrust Bank. Schmeltzer, speaking during a session at the Payments 2012 industry conference organized by NACHA - The Electronic Payments Association, said SunTrust's mobile bankers are 32 percent more profitable than those who don't use the channel and tend to be more loyal. Additionally, Schmeltzer noted they are more active checking account users, and more frequent users of ATMs, call centers and branches."

Mobile payments: Tech titans move in, but consumers still trust banks
"If you had lunch recently at Boom Noodle at Seattle’s University Village, the server handed you your check in a folder, like at any restaurant. But this folder was different. This was Rail. Rail is a wireless device that integrates with point-of-sale systems to let diners swipe credit cards and pay their bills at the table, eliminating the need for servers to deal with payment processing at all. It’s also designed for a future when patrons dispense with the card and just use their phones to pay."

Are Mobile Payments in Trouble? (Source: mobiledia.com)
"Mobiledia examine the mobile banking industry and find that despite retailers, financial institutions, carriers and phone makers all banking on mobile payments, the emerging industry could hit a significant roadblock: reluctant consumers, concerned about privacy and security:"

Mobile Banking Scorecard Rates Top Seven U.S. Banks
"Wells Fargo (San Francisco) earned the top spot in a new ranking released Wednesday of the seven largest U.S. banks' mobile offerings.

Keynote Competitive Research, the industry analysis arm of San Mateo, Calif.-based internet and mobile cloud monitoring company Keynote Systems Inc., compiled its "mobile banking scorecard" based on nearly 100 criteria in four main categories, developed from user testing and research. Banks measured in the inaugural scorecard include -- in alphabetical order -- Bank of America, Capital One, Chase, Citibank, PNC Bank, US Bank and Wells Fargo. The company did not divulge the order of the rankings, other than that Wells Fargo garnered the higher score. The banks were measured in their text, mobile web, and smartphone app offerings."

Mobile Banking: The New Risks
"Phishing attacks aimed at online PC users won't be the financial industry's greatest worry in the near future, says Dr. Markus Jakobsson, security expert in the field of phishing and crimeware. Malware targeting mobile devices will be.

Jakobsson, who has spent the last several months analyzing the current state of current mobile security, says mobile vulnerabilities have changed quite a bit over the last 12 months, and most mobile users and carriers have no real way to protect themselves from fraudsters seeking access to financial accounts."

US Bank provides new tool to business customers for mobile banking services
"US Bank has announced that the company is providing a new tool for business customers that provide secure banking services via mobile device. US Bank Mobile SinglePoint connects them to their account information wherever they are located. It is an extension of US Bank SinglePoint, the web portal to US Bank's suite of treasury management services, and SinglePoint Essentials, a basic suite of services for small businesses."

Smartphones Bring Banking at your Fingertips
"In the last quarter of 2010, about 30 mn Americans used their mobile phones to access financial accounts, up 54% from the same time in the previous year. Bankers acknowledge that mobile banking has become an essential channel for acquiring new customers, especially those from the younger generation."

SunTrust Mobile App (Finance)
"The SunTrust Mobile App allows you to view your checking or savings account balance, view transaction history, make payments, transfer funds, and locate ATMs or branches all from the convenience of your mobile phone.SunTrust is committed to your security and protecting the privacy of your financial information."

Top Ten Wireless Predictions for 2011
"As 2010 draws to a close Juniper Research has drawn up a list of predictions for the coming year, all neatly wrapped up as the top trends for the mobile and wireless industry for 2011. A free report detailing the findings is available to download from the Juniper website today."

PSCU Offers Write-ups on Mobile, Online, Call Centers
"PSCU Financial Services is offering two new white papers on call centers and online and mobile banking services for credit unions."
Click here - The Rise of Mobile Banking

Majority of top banks offering mobile banking
"Good news for tech-savvy checking account holders on the go: More banks are offering mobile banking services than ever before. A recent report by market research firm First Annapolis found that 54 percent of the top 100 financial institutions in the country surveyed offered some form of mobile banking.

Nearly 40 percent now offer banking services over the mobile Web, accessible to smart phones such as Apple's iPhone. Banking by text message is also a popular option among banks; 32 percent offer banking services and/or alerts by text messages. Another 32 percent offer apps for smart phones, with the iPhone App Store getting apps from 28 percent of financial institutions. Other smart phone platforms such as Blackberry and Android were less likely to get banking apps."

Are Mobile Payments Primed for Exponential Growth?
"In the developing world, those with cell phones outnumber those with bank accounts. And, as The New York Times reports, global usage of mobile-based banking is on the rise domestically, as well."

Noted & Noteworthy
"SunTrust Bank in Atlanta has a prominent mobile banking application. It works on hundreds of handsets-including the Apple iPhone-and is accessible to SunTrust customers on five wireless carriers.

But on SunTrust's Web site, you'd be hard pressed to find any clue such a mobile option exists. No mention of mobile banking exists on SunTrust's home page or a main portal for personal banking. It's only after clicking through to a page touting online banking will a SunTrust user find a link explaining how to sign up for mobile services."

FIS Enables Mobile Financial Services for U.S. Bank Prepaid Cardholders
"FIS, one of the world's largest providers of banking and payments technology, today announced that U.S. Bank is using FIS' mobile platform to launch mobile financial services for the U.S. Bank AccelaPay(R) Visa prepaid card program. Through this innovative combination, AccelaPay cardholders can use their mobile phones, including BlackBerrys and iPhones, to check their account balance, pay bills, receive account alerts and view mini-statements."

"Fiserv, Inc., the leading global provider of financial services technology solutions, today announced that SunTrust Banks, Inc. has selected Mobile MoneyTM from Fiserv to provide their clients with broader access to mobile financial services. SunTrust will use Mobile Money to enable clients to access their accounts using SMS (text messaging) or mobile browser technology, complementing a separate downloadable application that is already available. Additionally, clients will be able to sign up for a variety of account alerts.

'The selection of Mobile Money from Fiserv is another step toward the fulfillment of our overall mobile financial services strategy,' said Ginger Schmeltzer, senior vice president, SunTrust Bank. 'It is important to offer each of our clients the ability to easily access their account regardless of the type of mobile device they use. We also want to enable clients to more proactively manage their accounts through customized account alerts. Mobile Money will allow us to deliver both robust access and a rich set of alerts.'” >> Continue Reading

If you're reading this blog and you're not registered for the 3rd Annual Mobile Commerce Summit...please register NOW.

Location: The New M Resort - Las Vegas
When: June 3-5

This conference is completely dedicated to mobile banking, mobile payments, and mobile commerce. The speakers for this year include:
Jeff Dennes - USAA
Amy Johnson - Wells Fargo
Kevin Morrison - H&R Block
Patrick Reetz - M&I Bank
Ginger Schmeltzer - SunTrust Bank
Juli Anne Callis - National Institutes of Health Federal Credit Union
Jim Simpson - City Bank
Matt Dilll - Western Union
Armin Ajami - Wells Fargo

Panel discussions will include:
* Vendor Evaluation, Selection and Integration
* Community-Regional Bank Panel: Lessons Learned from Mobile Banking Rollouts
* Mobile Remittances and Funds Transfers
* Customer Security in Mobile Financial Services
* The Mobile Marketing Landscape - Financial Services and Beyond
* Where are the Mobile Revenue Opportunities?
* Building Standards to Support the Evolution of Mobile Payments
* The Convergence of Prepaid Cards and Mobile Commerce
* The Impact of Smartphones on the Customer Experience
* The Potential in Mobile Distribution and Social Networking

Don't miss this opportunity - register now.

This year I'm being very selective with my travel but one event I'll definitely be participating in is Net.Finance 2009.

The location for this years event is the JW Marriott Resort, Las Vegas

The agenda is topic-notch including a mobile banking panel discussion on Day 2 featuring:
Doug Brown (SVP - Bank of America)
Ginger Schmeltzer (SVP - SunTrust)
and myself titled "In the Hot Seat."

Other speakers include:
Steven Kietz (CEO - Mobile Money Ventures)
Ilieva Ageenko (SVP - Wachovia)
Mark Middlebrook (SVP - City National Bank)
Helen Loh (VP - Charles Schwab)
Jim Van Dyke (President & Founder - Javelin)
Mickey Mencin (VP - Key Bank)
Matt Wilcox (VP - Zions Bank)

Register to attend today>>

"Visa, the global leader in payments, and eight leading North American financial institutions - PNC Bank, SunTrust Bank, U.S. Bank, Wachovia, and Wells Fargo in the United States, and Royal Bank of Canada, TD Bank Financial Group, and Vancity in Canada - have agreed to initiate a pilot program with up to a total of 2,000 participants to test the delivery of real-time notification alerts on Visa accounts." Continue Reading>>

RBC Royal Bank



TD Canada Trust