In an increasingly digital world, mobile banking is among the cool new tools that can enhance your quality of life. It can make managing your money on the go simple and convenient.
The range of mobile banking features you have access to can, however, depend on where you choose to bank. Some of the most common features of mobile banking include the ability to view transactions, transfer funds, and review statements, all in the palm of your hand.
Understanding how those features work matters if you’re new to mobile banking or you’re on the hunt for a new bank account with mobile access. Read on to learn:
• What is mobile banking?
• How does mobile banking work?
• What are some of the top features of mobile banking?
• What are the pros and cons of mobile banking?
What Is Mobile Banking?
Mobile banking refers to a range of banking products and services that are offered through a mobile device. To access mobile banking, you’ll generally need two things:
• A compatible and connected mobile device, such as a cell phone or tablet
• A mobile banking app
Mobile banking is different from online banking, in terms of how you access it. To use mobile banking, you need to log in to your bank’s mobile app. Online banking, on the other hand, is accessed through a laptop or desktop computer.
How Does Mobile Banking Work?
Mobile banking works by allowing banking customers to access their accounts from a compatible mobile device. Instead of logging on to your bank’s website from a laptop or desktop, visiting a branch, or calling your bank’s phone banking number, you can manage your accounts right from your mobile phone or tablet.
A mobile banking app is an app that’s designed to be used specifically for banking services. Numerous traditional and niche banks have introduced mobile banking apps to complement their online and in-person banking services. You can also find mobile banking apps offered through fintech companies, neobanks, and other institutions.
Generally speaking, these apps allow you to log in with a unique user ID and password. From there, you can perform different money management tasks, based on the mobile banking features the app offers.
But is mobile banking safe? Generally, the answer is yes, as banks take various measures to encrypt and protect mobile banking app user information.
12 Features of Mobile Banking
What are the features of mobile banking? The answer depends largely on where you decide to bank, as each bank can determine what features to include in its mobile app. That being said, there are some mobile banking app features that are typically common from bank to bank. Here are a dozen features to consider.
1. Account Details
The first thing you’ll see when you log in to a mobile banking app is an overview of your accounts. Specifically, you should be able to review the following at a glance:
• Available account balances
• Current account balances
• Name of each account
• Identifying details, such as the last four digits of the account number
If you want to see how much you have in checking, for instance, you can quickly log in to your mobile banking app to view your balance.
You may also be able to see other account details, including full account numbers and your bank’s routing number. That information can come in handy if you want to set up direct deposit or schedule an ACH transfer or payment online.
2. Transaction History
One of the most helpful mobile banking features is the ability to view your transaction history. Some of the things you might be able to do with your app include:
• Reviewing posted and pending debits
• Reviewing posted and pending credits
• Cleared checks
• Filtering transactions by date, amount, or transaction type
Seeing transaction history can be helpful when making a budget; it can help you know exactly where your money is going. You can also review your transaction history to look for anything suspicious. This could include such things as purchases you don’t remember making or micro deposits that could indicate someone is trying to link your account to an external account without your consent.
3. Bill Pay
Mobile banking app features can also include bill pay services. But what is bill pay? In short, it’s a feature that allows you to schedule one-time or recurring bill payments through your banking app. You can add info on those who typically bill you, select a payment account, enter the payment amount, and schedule the date the bill should be paid all from your mobile device.
That can save you time, since you can schedule bills to be paid automatically. It can also save you money if you’re not having to buy postage to mail in check payments. One more bonus: You’re avoiding late payment fees since bills are paid on time.
4. Mobile Check Deposit
Mobile check deposit can be a highly convenient mobile banking feature for people who regularly receive checks. Instead of taking your check to a branch to deposit it, you can snap a pic of it with your mobile device and deposit it from wherever you are.
That’s one of the main benefits of mobile deposit if you use an online bank or neobank that doesn’t have physical branches or offer ATM access. If someone gives you a check, you don’t have to worry about depositing it at a brick-and-mortar financial institution and then initiating a bank transfer from one bank to another. Instead, you can deposit the check in minutes from your phone.
Ready for a Better Banking Experience?
Open a SoFi Checking and Savings Account and start earning up to 4.00% APY on your cash!
5. Person to Person Payments
Mobile banking features increasingly include the option to send person to person payments to friends and family. You can log in, navigate to the payments section of your mobile banking app and schedule a payment to someone using their email address or phone number.
Depending on where you bank, those payments might be completed in real time, meaning the money transfers from your account to theirs in minutes. That’s much easier and more convenient than withdrawing cash or writing a check and you can avoid the fees that other payment apps like Venmo or Paypal might charge.
Recommended: Pros and Cons of Online Banking
6. Cardless Withdrawal
A cardless withdrawal allows you to get cash at an ATM without needing your debit card. Instead, you can withdraw money using a secure code that’s sent to your mobile device either via text or in your mobile banking app messaging feature. That’s a nice feature to have if your debit card is lost or stolen and you need to make a withdrawal.
7. Card Management
Credit cards often offer a card lock feature that allows you to freeze your card temporarily if it’s lost or stolen. The same feature is increasingly being offered with mobile banking. If you misplace your card, you can log in to the app, select the card, and freeze it with the tap of a button. You can unfreeze your card the same way if you find it. If you don’t, you can leave it locked until you’re able to contact customer service to report the loss.
8. Account Alerts
Setting up account alerts and notifications can be a great way to stay on top of your money and potentially head off fraud. Some of the alerts you might be able to set up with your mobile banking app include:
• New credit and debit transaction alerts
• Alerts notifying you of changes to your account information, such as your address or contact email
• Failed login attempts
• Updates to your user ID or password
• Low account balances
You may be able to set up individual alerts for each account that you have or blanket alerts that cover all of your accounts. And you might be able to choose from email alerts, text alerts, or both, depending on your bank.
9. Statements and Documents
Opting in to electronic statements can help you avoid wasting paper. You might also avoid a fee if your bank charges you to get statements in the mail. In addition to viewing your statements through your mobile device, you might also be able to review other documents as well such as tax forms if you’re earning interest with a savings account. Or you could check investment account statements if you have a brokerage account at your bank as well.
10. New Account Opening
Need to open a new bank account? You might be able to skip the branch and set up a new checking, savings, money market, or CD account through your mobile banking app. You can save some time if you’re a customer and are already logged in, since the bank will have the relevant information needed to open the account. And you can easily arrange to transfer money from one of your existing accounts to the new account to cover your initial deposit.
11. Secure Messaging
Mobile banking apps can also include a message center where you can send and receive messages with your bank securely. If you’ve set up account alerts or notifications, for example, you can review those notifications through the message center as they come in. Your bank may also use the message center to send other secure notifications regarding your accounts.
12. Money Management Services
Your mobile app could save you time if you’re able to complete certain banking services from your device without having to visit or call a branch. For example, some of the things you might be able to do include:
• Ordering checks
• Putting a stop payment on a check you’ve written
• Linking external accounts
• Schedule bank to bank transfers
• Managing overdraft protection
• Reviewing fee schedules for your accounts
• Ordering foreign currency
• Requesting copies of checks
• Finding bank locations near you
• Connecting with customer support
These features might be listed under a section called “Service Center” or “Services” in your mobile banking app. While you may not need most of them on a regular basis, being able to access them at your fingertips is a nice incentive to use mobile banking.
Banking With SoFi
Weighing the pros and cons of online banking and mobile banking can give you perspective on what’s good (or bad) about either one. If you’re specifically interested in being able to bank on the go, then finding an account that offers a robust mobile banking app is a must.
When you open a new bank account with SoFi, you can get checking and savings in one convenient place. You can easily manage your accounts online or through the SoFi mobile app. When you open accounts with direct deposit, you’ll also earn a competitive APY and pay no fees, which can help you money grow faster. Plus, qualifying accounts can get paid up to two days early.
FAQ
What are the benefits of mobile banking?
One of the main benefits of mobile banking is convenience. You don’t need to go to a branch or log in to your laptop to manage your money. Instead, you can transfer funds between accounts, view balances, pay bills, and send money to friends and family from your mobile device.
Are there any disadvantages of mobile banking?
The main disadvantage of mobile banking is that you can’t deposit cash through an app. If you need to deposit cash, you’ll need to take it to a bank branch or ATM to do so. Otherwise, there are very few drawbacks to mobile banking apps.
What is the purpose of mobile banking?
The purpose of mobile banking is to allow you to manage your bank accounts from anywhere as long as you have a compatible device and an internet connection. Mobile banking can save you time since you don’t have to go to a bank branch to complete basic transactions with your accounts.
Photo credit: iStock/Kawanilaz
Third-Party Brand Mentions: No brands, products, or companies mentioned are affiliated with SoFi, nor do they endorse or sponsor this article. Third-party trademarks referenced herein are property of their respective owners.
Financial Tips & Strategies: The tips provided on this website are of a general nature and do not take into account your specific objectives, financial situation, and needs. You should always consider their appropriateness given your own circumstances.
SoFi® Checking and Savings is offered through SoFi Bank, N.A. ©2023 SoFi Bank, N.A. All rights reserved. Member FDIC. Equal Housing Lender.
The SoFi Bank Debit Mastercard® is issued by SoFi Bank, N.A., pursuant to license by Mastercard International Incorporated and can be used everywhere Mastercard is accepted. Mastercard is a registered trademark, and the circles design is a trademark of Mastercard International Incorporated.
SoFi members with direct deposit can earn up to 4.00% annual percentage yield (APY) interest on Savings account balances (including Vaults) and up to 1.20% APY on Checking account balances. There is no minimum direct deposit amount required to qualify for these rates. Members without direct deposit will earn 1.20% APY on all account balances in Checking and Savings (including Vaults). Interest rates are variable and subject to change at any time. These rates are current as of 3/17/2023. Additional information can be found at http://www.sofi.com/legal/banking-rate-sheet
SOBK1022009
