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Most consumers, 75%, would consider using mobile-banking services if their financial institutions offered them, an increase from 49% who said so in 2006, according to consumer research sponsored by processor Fiserv Inc. However, only 23% of the respondents in the survey in April of this year participated in a mobile-banking service, and 77% did not use their cell phone or mobile device for banking, according to Brookfield, Wis.-based Fiserv. Of those participating in mobile banking, 72% used their mobile devices to check bank-account balances, 55% used the service to contact their financial institutions for customer support and 38% checked card balances. "This research shows that consumer adoption of mobile-banking services is poised for potential rapid growth," Bob Homer, vice president of product management with Fiserv Electronic Banking Services, said in a statement. A Fiserv spokesperson adds, "We believe consumer demand is soaring, driven by strong consumer adoption of and receptivity to mobile applications as well as growing awareness of how mobile banking can help them gain better control of their finances." MQA Research Inc. conducted the online survey of 1,007 U.S. consumers 18 years of age and older in April. MQA Research also conducted the 2006 survey of 1,023 cellular phone respondents.
