Barbara Shaw: Hi! I am Barbara with Wells Fargo and Company. Online banking has become an indispensable tool for busy people who may not be able to visit their local branches on a regular basis.
But there is another form of banking that can be even more convenient. You may already be familiar with online banking. Prompted by the success of mobile devices, most banks now offer streamlined versions of their online banking services, specifically for cell phones and other mobile devices.
With those services, you can perform such common banking transactions as getting balances, paying bills or transferring funds. Millions of Americans are adopting mobile banking as the preferred way to manage their finances.
Banking with your cell phone or other mobile device allows you to access your account information from virtually anywhere, whether you're shopping, commuting or at lunch.
Easy access to banking is a key benefit for people now using or considering mobile banking. Over 20 million Americans currently use mobile banking and that number is expected to climb to 35 million by 2014 according to a January 2012 study by the Online Banking Report.
Mobile banking offers many advantages, such as fast secure access to your accounts with plentiful applications for smartphones. Banks typically let you access accounts via texting, mobile browsers or downloadable applications.
Texting is the simplest method for many. You view accounts by nicknames that you set up, not account numbers. No detailed personal information is sent via text. Mobile banking is also usually covered by your bank's online security guaranteed to provide further comfort about your security of your transactions.
Easy access, security and convenience are making mobile banking a very efficient and popular way to conduct banking.
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