DCU Mobile PC Branch

In the sea of credit union iPad apps in the Apple App Store, most look and act almost identical, offering the same four or five features (check balances, funds transfer, pay bills, find an ATM or branch). The Mobile PC Branch for iPad app from Digital Federal Credit Union, offers a little more.

The $3.65 billion credit union, which is based in Marlborough, Mass., updated its app August 26. The credit union is one of the first to offer mobile check deposit using the iPad. Using a simple interface, members can enter the amount they want to deposit, then photograph the front and back of their check with the built-in iPad camera, and tap "submit."

This app also has a helpful bill payment interface, including a Payment Assistant that guides new users through the steps of establishing billers and payments. It also displays recent and pending payments for a particular biller.

The app is also a little unusual because, for better or for worse, it provides more marketing messages than most. There are promotions for car loans and a card reward program, as well as a message center with product updates.

User reviews of previous versions of Digital's iPad app (there were none at press time for the current version) were mostly positive and the overall customer rating was four stars. "I use several other banking apps, but this one is by far the best," one user wrote. "I also love that DCU built this specifically for iPad to utilize the large screen size — great job DCU tech team — keep up the good work!" One user, oddly enough, found his or her account balances showing up as Indian rupees. A few members here and there asked the credit union to provide a bill payment feature. Clearly, this is an institution that is listening to its members.

Randolph Brooks Federal Credit Union, which uses the same software provider, Vertifi, has an iPad app with a similar look and feel, including the mobile check deposit feature.

For reprint and licensing requests for this article, click here.
Bank technology
MORE FROM AMERICAN BANKER