Small-Business Mobile Banking: A Promising Opportunity
Report Summary
Small-Business Mobile Banking: A Promising Opportunity
While the mobile channel is not yet the preferred vehicle for small-business banking, 54% of small businesses are expected to use the mobile channel by 2015.
Boston, June 12, 2012 – A new report from Aite Group analyzes the small-business mobile strategies of large U.S. banks as well as the outlook for small-business adoption of this channel. Based primarily on the results of three recent Aite Group surveys—one of 17 large U.S. banks, one of 24 U.S. bank risk executives, and one of 291 U.S. small businesses—the report highlights the types of mobile devices small businesses use, ways they prefer to use the mobile channel, and the bank functionalities required for the greatest level of success with this product. It also discusses security concerns and what financial institutions can do to minimize their risk of fraud.
As mobile technologies become an integral part of their customers’ lives, financial institutions must be ready and able to offer the mobile channel as yet another avenue through which to interact with their customers. While the mobile channel is not yet the preferred vehicle for small-business banking, Aite Group estimates that approximately 33% of small businesses currently bank via a mobile device, while an additional 31% are interested in doing so. Approximately 54% will bank via mobile by 2015.
“Offering mobile banking capabilities to small-business customers will be critical to a financial institution's success,” says Christine Barry, research director with Aite Group and author of this report. “While the online channel is currently preferred by small-business customers, the mobile channel is expected to see the greatest increase in demand and adoption over the coming months."
This 27-page Impact Note contains 23 figures. Clients of Aite Group’s Wholesale Banking service can download the report.