Mobile Payments and Balances - Not Banking For Now

It isn't hard to see why customers prefer to do their banking and bill-paying using a PC, rather than a mobile. Well it is hard to see, and that's the problem. Those tiny little mobile screens aren't in the race for the bigscreen financial view. Who would want to make a mistake or stress out about all those numbers? Why bother? The perception that there is 'too much in the phone' might add to the reticence.

I would, however, use my mobile to check my balance, or pay for something, even a bill, if it was made safer and easier, and it can be a whole lot of both.

I don't know why customers are prepared to internet bank, considering the reported hazards, it would seem more logical to make the banking process require both the phone and the PC. I know the old SMS thing sort of does that, but it is far from easy and not all that safe.

Perhaps when trust is improved and your whizz-bang mobile can do something as simple as display on the nearest big screen securely, then the mobile might dominate banking. Until then I'd suggest a combination of  both, keeping well within each's capabilites, rather than relying on snake-oil and fantasy, to make it safe, secure and private. A little thought for the consumer having to carry out the process doesn't go astray either.

Right now payments, balances and even online transactions can all succeed on the mobile and internet banking can be secured with the mobile. What's the problem?

It should be easy, but not too easy for the criminals. It isn't yet.

Imagine if you could lose your mobile, buy a new one and be calling and transacting again in minutes, without having to learn or remember anything new, or even contacting your bank, safe in the knowledge that the stolen phone was of no use to anyone?

Everything is possible - it's the 21st century remember - it's going to be great.