What to look for in a banking app

Nowadays, shopping around for a new checking account means more than just checking out (see what we did there?) account features and branch locations. In today’s digital age, it’s almost more important to consider what the bank’s digital features look like to make sure you can easily check your balance on the go, deposit checks, and get support from real people if you need it. You want a mobile banking app that works for you, not one you have to adapt to. Because for many of us, mobile banking isn’t just a nice benefit, it’s how we bank.

We’ve put together a list of the things your mobile banking app should be able to do (and they just so happen to be things the UBTgo mobile app can do in spades). Let’s check them out.

Make life easier. A great mobile banking app should be a simple, yet powerful tool for staying connected to your accounts. Wherever you go, you should be able to get your banking done confidently, easily, and securely. Basic features should be straightforward and easy to get to, making locating an ATM, transferring between accounts, or checking balances a non-event. Settling a restaurant check with friends or sending money to family through Zelle®, or a similar platform, within your mobile app shouldn’t be a big deal either.

Save you time. Who wants to click forever for their bank balance? A fast balance feature is a mobile banking must, and you’ll need a great Bill Pay option, too. Why waste time writing checks or entering payments on several different websites when you have a user-friendly mobile app that helps you take care of your financial obligations? You’ll also want to be able to make mobile deposits from an app that knows its business. With only your phone and a pen (to make notes on the check), you can make deposits from anywhere — no trip to the bank necessary.

Understands your needs. A great mobile app has real people behind it — people who really “get” that you want to be in control of your finances, wherever you are. You’ll want to be able to receive text alerts informing you of low balances, potential debit card fraud, and other important issues. Another key feature to look for is debit card controls, so you can temporarily cancel a misplaced card with few clicks, set up real-time card alerts for transactions on your card, and restrict transactions for certain types of purchases/purchase locations.

Help you reach your goals. While one of the benefits of a mobile app is that you don’t have to run to the bank, it’s good to know those people are there. A great mobile app should be more than a way to check funds; it should be a hand-held account management tool. That means you should be able to refer to easy-to-use graphs to analyze your spending habits, keep tabs on budget categories, and set goals. And a good app will help you reach them.

Be simple to use. Nothing says “we’re not there yet” than an outdated design and an app that moves at a snail’s pace. You’re looking for a sleek and speedy mobile app, and one that can get you to the major features in a tap or two. High ratings from reviewers in the Apple^® and Android™ app stores is a great indication of a user-friendly app.

Offer added security. Now more than ever, added security is huge in a mobile app. No longer is a password enough to keep cyber criminals at bay, and you’ll want a bank whose security measures leave you feeling secure. You’ll want to look for multi-layer security that includes biometric authentication. This is also where those text alerts or e-Alerts bring peace of mind.

To recap, mobile banking apps are so much more than checking your balance — though you want to be able to do that quickly. A great mobile app should be fast, secure, and put your finances at your fingertips. Click here to see how UBT’s highly-rated UBTgo mobile banking app stacks up.

And we’d be remiss if we didn’t point out that now is a great time to make the move to UBT, as you could get up to $250** when you open new checking and savings accounts and meet requirements. You can even open an account online right from UBTgo in about five minutes — less time than it takes to figure out what to eat for dinner.

If you’d prefer to talk with one of our friendly bankers, feel free to call 402.323.1777, start a chat, or visit the UBT branch nearest you. We look forward to helping you.

^{We got some of our information from Nerd wallet. Feel free to read their article here.}