3 tips for using your smartphone to bank
Let’s face it, in today’s world we’re on our phones often. So why don’t we use them for something more beneficial than playing games while we wait in line? More than 50 percent of smartphone owners have conveniently used mobile banking. Here’s how you can too by making the most of the helpful tools your bank offers:
Know what’s available. Different banks offer different products to meet your online banking needs. Independent Bank lets customers check balances, make payments, transfer funds, deposit checks, and find branch locations. “Mobile banking truly allows customers to bank on the go. These tools can save a trip to the branch and allow customers to do banking any time of the day,” says Elizabeth Rose, Independent Bank’s Assistant Vice President of Product Development.
Take advantage of alerts. Many banks now offer alerts for everything from a low balance notification, to when a bill is being paid. These alerts can be great tools for helping you manage your account. For example, by setting an alert to remind you of transactions that could affect your checking balance, you might avoid an overdraft fee. Register for alerts through online banking.
Keep safety in mind. While mobile banking is easy to use and convenient, be smart about protecting your sensitive information. Don’t store passwords, PINs (personal identification numbers), Social Security numbers, account numbers, or other confidential data on your phone. Finally, always remember to sign out when you’re finished banking.