"Japanese consumers typically make payments in shops using cash and coupons or rewards; it is also sometimes possible to pay by charging the customer’s mobile phone bill. The Celent report, Retail Payments in Japan – a Land of Contrasts and Opportunity, suggests that the gradual shift of e-commerce in the country towards mobile channels is shifting banks to cooperate with popular reward schemes, which can increasingly be used online and via mobile." Continue Reading

"JPMorgan Chase posted the biggest loyalty gains in 2013 among US national banks thanks to selective investments in mobile technology and more effective marketing, according to research by consultancy house Bain. Using data from a survey of almost 200,000 consumers in 27 countries, Bain finds that most banks are missing prime opportunities to deepen their existing customer relationships and are ceding new product sales to competitors." Continue Reading

"TD Canada Trust announced today the launch of its new Android tablet app, offering customers an easy and interactive way to manage personal banking and direct investing needs within one app.

'We've already had great success with our existing apps, and are very excited to be launching our Android tablet app which offers our customers seamless access between their personal banking and wealth accounts - all with a single login, in a safe and secure environment,' said Rizwan Khalfan, Senior Vice President, Digital Channels, TD. 'We know our customers are increasingly looking to us to make banking easy and more convenient. Our Android app does just that, giving customers the ability to bank and trade using their tablet.'" Continue Reading

Too Many Banks Still Treat Mobile Banking as an Afterthought
"I have spent a fair amount of the past three years or so researching, writing about, consulting and presenting on mobile banking. I think about the channel a lot and instinctively look out for new developments in the space on news sites or when I attend conferences. As an advocate of mobile banking, I feel that I should be entirely sold on making it my channel of choice with my bank. But I'm not. At least, not yet."

Segmented consumer experience key to mobile banking future - study
"A new study conducted by Cognizant (NASDAQ: CTSH) and Monitise plc (LSE: MONI) finds that retail banks can realize the full potential of mobile banking by offering segmented consumer experiences and advanced digital wallet capabilities."

Mobile is the new table stakes for banks
"As smartphone and tablet use accelerate in the United States, consumer expectations are growing as well. Banking customers, for example, now expect their financial institutions to offer mobile applications, and U.S. banks are responding, according to a report from Aite Group. And mobile banking apps are a particularly important way to reach younger consumers, because many of them bypass PCs completely in favor of smartphones."

Banks, Mobile Technologies and SMAC, Part 1
"The mega-trends of SMAC (social, mobile, analytics and cloud) plus IoT (Internet of Things/Connected devices/M2M) are changing entire industries. I am being asked frequently now to meet with IT and business teams to review how SMAC and related trends are impacting various industries so companies can better plan to meet these transformations. My colleague at Cognizant, Peter Abatan, is both a banking expert and a mobile technologies expert. Recently Peter has been sharing his thoughts with me on the topic of how SMAC (social, mobile analytics and cloud) trends are impacting the banking industry. Here are some excerpts from our exchanges:"

Banking Industry Predictions: 4 Trends to Expect Over the Next 10 Years
"Considering the staggering changes in banking we’ve experienced over the last decade, it’s safe to say predicting what will happen next is like trying to guess who is going to win the World Series. We can make some educated guesses, but — to really hammer the metaphor — there’s always a chance a curve ball is thrown our way. That said, a number of trends have emerged that say a lot about where the industry is going. And understanding where it’s headed can help better shape your finances today."

Mobile Banking Activity Continued to Grow in June
"Banks continued to report increases in mobile banking usage in June, according to the latest Mobile Banking Intensity Index. The overall value of the index, 72.5, was roughly in line with the intense growth of last month's reading of 73.8. Almost all the 336 bankers who shared information about their mobile banking offerings and adoption for the month of June reported steady growth in the service, which for many is relatively new. The overarching theme was fast adoption and growth with fluctuations and the occasional small hiccup."

Mobility Matters: At The Mobile Banking Tipping Point
"In Sweden, already mobile banking is at a tipping point with several financial institutions reporting that, out of nowhere, usage has surged beyond the online channel. Ditto for New Zealand where mobile access now outstrips online. Word in the United Kingdom also is that mobile banking has reached a tipping point."

Banks can gain by turning digital-savvy: A study
"A new study conducted by Cognizant and Monitise plc finds that retail banks can realize the full potential of mobile banking by offering segmented consumer experiences and advanced digital wallet capabilities. According to the study, consumers are increasingly expecting banks to help improve their mobile lifestyles by providing anytime, anywhere capabilities, customized user experiences, shopping and social features, and value-added services. This, the study states, represents a new opportunity for retail banks to drive customer loyalty, attract new business, and generate more revenue."

Study: Enhanced mobile payment options will drive customer loyalty for banks
"Retail banks that offer segmented consumer experiences and advanced digital wallet capabilities are likely to realize a good return on investment, according to a new study from Cognizant and Monitise plc. The study surveyed a diverse group of more than 700 consumers to understand their mobile banking expectations, emerging trends, and current and future needs. Increasingly, the study found, consumers expect banks to provide anytime, anywhere mobile capabilities, including customized user experiences, shopping and social features, and value-added services, and that represents a new opportunity for retail banks to drive customer loyalty, attract new business and generate more revenue."

Mobile Banking Revolution (Infographic)
"It’s no secret that mobile banking has taken off in recent years and continues to grow by leaps and bounds. To help illustrate just how much mobile banking is growing FICO pulled together an infographic with some impressive mobile stats. For example, did you know that by 2017 an estimated 1 billion people will be using mobile banking? Read on to learn more about the mobile revolution."

Mobile banking expected to grow 18% annually through 2017
"The evolution of technology has brought on an onslaught of change to the banking industry, with banks becoming more convenient and consumer-friendly through mobile strategies, according to an article from Business Insider. The article says banks have become more competitive in order to stay ahead of other financial institutions. Currently, the mobile-banking user base is expected to grow 18% each year until reaching more than 1 billion users by 2017. By the end of this year, 590 million consumers will be using the technology."

USAA launches voice command mobile banking
"USAA members can now ask their iPhone how much they spent on groceries last month or tell it to pay the mortgage on Thursday. It's all done through voice commands that the financial institution's new software not only can hear and understand, but act upon. USAA has embedded Nuance's voice recognition service known as Nina into its iPhone app for mobile banking."

Survey: 75% comfortable with mobile banking
"Mobile banking has been getting a lot of press lately. Just last week, Hawaii-based American Savings Bank announced that adoption of their newly-introduced remote deposit capture mobile feature had exceeded all expectations. Juniper research recently published figures showing that the number of consumers using tablets to pay bills will soar between now and 2017, and mobile document capture software firm Mitek revealed 12 million Americans have now deposited more than 40ドル billion into bank accounts using mobile apps."

What will banks do to lure more people to online banking?
"The excitement around online banking is fading. After four years of rapid growth, banks are seeing only a trickle of new customers using their online services. As a result, consumers can expect more incentives as banks try to move more people out of the branches and away from the ATMs and instead deal with them through their computers and cellphones."

Mobile Banking Plays Key Role in #1 Factor for Customer Loyalty According to Yodlee Interactive Survey
"Banking convenience dominates all options amongst reasons to stay with banks, according to a new study conducted online by Harris Interactive on behalf of Yodlee Interactive. With the convenience of online and mobile banking, more customers are utilizing these services, while banks are responding by reducing the number of physical branches. This survey was conducted among 2,219 Americans (ages 18+) between February 28 and March 4, 2013."

Device, Channel And Security Choices Featured At Mobile Banking & Commerce Summit
"The 2013 Mobile Banking & Commerce Summit, hosted by American Banker and Bank Technology News, will shine on a spotlight on the next generation of mobile banking applications and recent advances in mobile commerce and payments. The event will take place June 3-5, 2013 at the InterContinental Miami Hotel in Florida."

Does JPMorgan Plus Apple Equal a Mobile-Banking Home Run?
"Banking is going mobile. The largest U.S. banks have been fairly quick to adopt the new technology and are reaping the benefits as millions of users flock to mobile interfaces. JPMorgan Chase sports one of the best-received mobile banking platforms. Despite being a relatively small portion of the bank's overall operation, its ability to innovate new mobile products and efficiently serve more customers is good news for investors. In this video, Motley Fool banking analysts Matt Koppenheffer and David Hanson tell investors why this recent trend benefits JPMorgan, as well as tech giant Apple."

Study: mobile banking apps key to bank loyalty
"Add mobile banking to ATMs as a major channel for cultivating bank customer loyalty. According to a study from Yodlee Interactive, a developer of financial mobile apps, one-third of those who use mobile banking name it as a reason why they stay with their bank."

DeMarrais: FDIC tips for safe mobile banking
"When's the last time you went into a bank? For many of us, trips to a local bank were once near the top of our weekly to-do list, but technology has changed that dramatically, allowing us to do most of our banking from the convenience of home or office whenever it suits us. Banker's hours? They're no longer an issue when you combine direct deposit, ATMs and online banking. Bank visits have been limited largely to opening accounts, applying for loans, resolving disputes or looking for a calendar."

Federal Reserve Board Survey Shows Growth in Mobile Banking and Payments
"Americans are increasingly using their mobile phones to access bank accounts, credit cards, and other financial accounts, according to the Federal Reserve Board’s latest report on mobile financial services. As of November 2012, 28 percent of all mobile phone users and 48 percent of smartphone users had used mobile banking in the past 12 months. This represents a significant increase from 21 percent in December 2011 for mobile phone users and 42 percent for smartphone users. While relatively less common, the use of mobile phones to make payments at the point of sale increased threefold over the same period, as 6 percent of smartphone owners reported using their phone to make a purchase."

Few Bank Shoppers Say Mobile Check Deposit Is A ‘Must Have’
"Within the last two years, more and more banks and credit unions have begun offering mobile check deposit on their mobile banking platforms. Today, there are 137 institutions listed on FindABetterBank.com and 33% offer mobile check deposit (see table below). Many banks and credit unions plan to roll out the service within the next 12 months."

ACLEDA Bank, Fiserv win tech implementation award
"Financial technology company Fiserv and Cambodian bank ACLEDA have won an Asian Banker Technology Implementation Award in the category "best mobile banking project." The award recognizes a collaboration by Fiserv and ACLEDA to extend the ACLEDA Unity mobile banking and payments service to new, untapped consumer segments using Mobiliti Reach from Fiserv."

Understanding Consumer Adoption of Mobile Banking in 2013
"It came a lot faster than anyone predicted: Mobile banking is growing so quickly that it is even overtaking traditional online banking. Just last week, the second largest bank in the United States, Bank of America, announced that its customers are logging into the bank’s mobile platform more than its online platform. It’s quite possibly the most significant innovation across the industry since the ATM."

Mobile Banking Plays Critical Role In Customer Loyalty While Tablet Apps Lag Behind
"A lack of banking apps optimized for tablets leaves consumers to resort to a cruder mobile web experience. According to a study from Yodlee Interactive, mobile banking may keep loyalty high while physical branches continue their decline. 71% of mobile bankers are either satisfied or very satisfied with their bank’s mobile and web offerings. One in three of those who use mobile banking now view their mobile banking experience as a reason why they stay with their bank."

Infographic: Mobile Banking Critical to Customer Loyalty
"The findings of new study conducted online by Harris Interactive on behalf of Yodlee Interactive shows that banking convenience “dominates” all options amongst reasons to stay with banks. With the convenience of online and mobile banking, more customers are utilizing these services, while banks are responding by reducing the number of physical branches."

Banking by Voice Gets Test From U.S. Bank
"U.S. Bank (USB_) is testing a voice-banking service that enables customers to check account balances, review transactions and pay bills solely through voice activation. For now, U.S. Bank is limiting the app test campaign to its FlexPerks Travel Rewards program and to its employees. The voice-activated technology comes from Nuance Nina Mobile, and is now limited to iPhone and Android phones."

Intuit Debuts Mobile Banking App for Android Tablets
"Intuit Financial Services has released a tablet banking app for the Android operating system. The new app lets customers check balances, transfer funds, pay bills and find branches and ATMs, Intuit (INTU) said Tuesday. The app works on all seven- and ten-inch tablets and can be downloaded through the Google or Amazon app stores. Sharon Credit Union in Massachusetts has begun offering the app to its customers, Intuit said in the news release."

Four Sure-fire Tips for Mobile Banking Security
"I’m writing this dispatch from the Pacific Coast, where I’ve just seen a fabulous-yet-disturbing documentary at the Newport Beach Film Festival. It’s called “Terms and Conditions May Apply,” and director Cullen Hoback’s movie takes a chilling look at how vulnerable we all are in this digital society. That is, “free” services such as Google, Facebook and Twitter know much more about us than you might think — and they’re holding onto that information indefinitely. They also share it at will with federal espionage services, thanks to the dense legalese written into online terms of service since 9/11 and the Patriot Act."

A year of successful mobile banking
"In just one year, BOV Mobile, the mobile banking service for smartphones introduced by Bank of Valletta, has attracted more than 11,500 customers who have collectively used their phones more than half a million times to make payments, transfer funds and to monitor their accounts. 'We view mobile banking as a natural extension of our overall channel strategy. Mobile combines the best features of online banking, the convenience of an ATM, and the responsiveness of text messaging all in the palm of your hand,' chief operations officer Michael Galea said."

Banks Must Think Differently About Customer Experience In A Branchless Digital Environment
"Banks have offered online accounts for years, but new digital banking technologies, such as mobile remote deposit capture, and a new generation of young customers are driving increased interest in digital bank accounts. Customers in their 20s and 30s have been quick to embrace mobile and online capabilities that are steadily making branches obsolete -- at least for day-to-day banking needs. The fast-paced adoption of mobile remote deposit capture to deposit checks is a recent example of this trend. "The advent of mobile remote deposit capture is eliminating the No. 1 reason for branch visits," says Teresa Epperson, a managing director at AlixPartners, a consulting firm."

How Can Businesses Help Consumers Bank Better?
"It's not easy to pay mobile phone bills with cash. Yet, 24 million households are under-banked and 91% of the underbanked have mobile phones and smartphones, according to the FDIC. With numbers like these, it makes sense for consumer businesses such as mobile carriers to help customers bank up, says Plastyc CEO Patrice Peyret. At FinovateSpring 2013 in San Francisco, Peyret will demo a new banking service platform and discuss practical insights for consumer businesses that want to provide smart, simple banking services to their customers."

American Savings Bank Dials Up Mobile Deposits and Sets Adoption Record
"Monitise plc (LSE: MONI) today announced that Hawaii-based American Savings Bank is experiencing phenomenal user adoption since the launch of its mobile banking and payments solution. As part of Monitise's Bank Anywhere mobile solution, American Savings Bank is the first Hawaiian bank to deploy mobile remote deposit capture, resulting in mobile deposits skyrocketing by 40 percent in March. In a mere four months since deployment, many of American Savings Bank's active online banking customers are already using the Bank Anywhere services developed and deployed by Monitise."

Integrating Mobile and Branch Banking Will Increase Customer Loyalty
"Mobile banking has finally come into its own. Almost one-third of the 5,200 consumers that Bain and Company surveyed recently used their smartphones or tablets for some type of banking interaction during the three months prior to the survey, up sharply from one-fifth of respondents in 2011. Our survey finds that mobile banking is more likely to increase a customer's likelihood to recommend his or her bank to other people than any other channel interaction."

CIA's venture arm backs mobile banking, NFC developer
"In-Q-Tel, the technology investment arm of the U.S. Central Intelligence Agency (CIA), will invest in Tyfone, a small developer of mobile banking, identity management and near-field communication systems. The size of the investment was not disclosed. Although the investment doesn't come with the guarantee that Tyfone's technology will be adopted by the U.S. government, that possibility was hinted at in a joint statement announcing the deal."

Research and Markets: Mobile Banking Gains 10 Million Users As Smartphone And Tablet Adoption Soars "The ability to securely manage banking transactions, especially on smartphones and tablets, has become extremely appealing. Mobile banking gained 10 million new users in 2012 and currently reaches one-third of the mobile adult U.S. population. As smartphones outnumber feature phones and tablets surge, Android and Apple delivered and defined the market in 2012. Consumer adoption of mobile banking at small, medium, and giant institutions and credit unions varies by the quality of mobile services offered. This report contains an annual roundup of five-year forecasts for the U.S. consumer market for mobile banking adoption, mobile phone usage, smartphone adoption, smartphone adoption by operating system, tablet adoption, and tablet adoption by operating system."