More Americans using smartphones to access their bank accounts

(BPT) – Smartphones have become an essential part of everyday life; from texting and email to social media, Americans rely heavily on their mobile devices. If your mobile phone was taken away, how long could you survive without it?

The answer may surprise you: nearly half (47 percent) of U.S. consumers polled say they could not go more than one day without their smartphone, according to the inaugural Bank of America Trends in Consumer Mobility Report. An overwhelming majority (85 percent) say they check their phones at least a few times a day, while more than one-third (35 percent) admit to constantly checking their mobile device.

The survey, which explored mobile trends and banking behaviors among adults across the country, found the need for constant connectivity also extends to banking. Of those respondents who said they use their phones for mobile banking, almost one-third (31 percent) say they log on at least once a day, and more than four out of five (82 percent) access their accounts at least once a week or more.

The report revealed further interesting insights into consumer mobile banking behaviors and preferences, including:

* Mobile banking is on the rise. More than half (62 percent) of respondents have at least tried mobile banking, while an overwhelming majority (90 percent) are using online banking. When using their bank’s mobile app, U.S. consumers most commonly check their balance, transfer funds between accounts and pay bills.

* Sophisticated banking transactions becoming more prevalent on mobile devices. Consumers are also using their smartphones for more complex transactions, including mobile check deposit. Nearly six in 10 (58 percent) respondents have used mobile check deposit, and 38 percent use it frequently. ‘Our customers appreciate the convenience of being able to complete their deposit anytime, anywhere and are depositing an average of 170 thousand checks via mobile device every day,’ says Marc Warshawsky, mobile solutions executive at Bank of America.

* Consumers prefer a mix of banking options. Mobile and online banking are becoming more widely used, but visits to bank branches are still common. The survey found that 84 percent of respondents have visited a bank branch within the past six months. Most commonly, Americans make a trip to the bank to make a deposit, withdraw funds and speak with a banking associate. However, just 23 percent of respondents say they complete the majority of their banking transactions at a branch. Nearly half (47 percent) report turning to mobile or online banking as their preferred method.

* Consumers comfortable with added security measures. In the next two years, 60 percent of consumers say they would be comfortable with a fingerprint scan/swipe security feature to gain access to their mobile banking app. Nearly one-third expressed comfort with retina scans (32 percent) and voice recognition (33 percent).

For additional insights into consumer mobility, view the full Bank of America Trends in Consumer Mobility Report at www.newsroom.bankofamerica.com/presskits.