What Is Mobile Banking And How Does It Work? – Forbes Advisor INDIA

Mobile banking is an online banking service provided by banks to their existing customers to access their banking account for carrying out a myriad of transactions using a mobile device, including smartphone and tablet, whenever users are connected to the internet. 

You can manage your finances on the go with a mobile banking application, which is easy and convenient in comparison to banking in person or on a computer, and doesn’t involve any fee for using the service. However, there can be connectivity issues, technical problems, and users will have to adhere to security guidelines.

In this article, we will walk you through setting up a mobile banking application on your device, banking services you can access, as well as address security concerns to help you manage your banking needs.

What is a Mobile Banking App?

Using a mobile banking application, you can easily access your banking account, check balance, transfer funds, pay bills, deposit checks, etc. Overall, you can access almost all products and services provided by your banking institution. Plus it’s convenient to use, allowing you to check your banking account 24/7, conduct financial transactions or tasks whenever you are connected to the internet.

In other words, you have complete control over your banking account, services and products. Many banking institutions have now added robust features like getting a loan, insurance, and even investing in stocks, mutual funds, fixed deposits, etc. in a single app—without a need to visit the nearest branch of your bank.

That said, you might require the help of a customer service to access or query about certain banking products—and, that too, is covered via frequently asked questions (FAQs), online chat, or call the agent directly from the app. Nonetheless, every bank provides their customers with a mobile banking application user manual which can be downloaded from the bank’s official website.

How to Use a Mobile Banking App?

To use a mobile banking app from your smartphone or tablet, you need to download the application from the app store. Once the app is installed on your device, you need to add your bank account details for registration, followed by activation, and create an MPIN—which stands for mobile banking personal identification number—to login.

Registration, activation, and login requirements to use a mobile banking app

Depending on your bank with whom you have a savings account, there are primarily three ways of registration. This process is important for banks to recognize their existing customers.

• Net banking: If you are using the net banking service provided by your banking institution, you can use the login details—customer ID and password—to register.
• Debit card: Enter the debit card number, expiry date, and ATM Pin.
• OTP-based registration: Enter your mobile number registered with the bank, and the OTP will be sent to you via SMS for registration.

The registration process is followed by activation, and this includes creating a mobile banking personal identification number (MPIN) — a four to six digit passcode required to access the banking account via mobile banking app. Once the MPIN is set up, you can proceed to login to access your banking account. Remember, you will be required to enter the MPIN each time you login to your mobile banking application.

Note: The login page of any mobile banking application generally provides tabs to access commonly asked FAQs, instructions from the bank, customer care details, and a few tabs for services and products. Nonetheless you will have to login using your MPIN. 

What can you do through a Mobile Banking App?

Once you’ve logged in to your mobile banking app, the dashboard will give you a tour to help you use the mobile application. This includes where you can view your account balance, check statement, access debit card details, and many more. 

Otherwise, you can take a peek into services by selecting tabs that are available on the dashboard, or use the search bar for specific queries. 

Forbes Advisor India evaluated mobile banking applications of two major banking institutions of India to help you understand the type of banking, transaction, investment, and other services in the offing. However, the features may differ among banks providing mobile banking services.

Banking services via mobile app

• Update profile: Add photo, edit address, connect with relationship manager, etc.
• Account services: View personal account details, passbook, view offers and rewards, etc.
• Card services: Block or unblock debit card, modify card limit, upgrade to credit card, generate debit or credit card PIN, etc.
• Cheque book services: Stop or issue cheque books, check status, etc.
• Tools: Change MPIN, or add biometric authentication, call from app, refer a friend, help, feedback, app version, etc.

Transaction, investment, insurance, and travel services available on mobile banking apps

• Manage standing instruction, add or manage payees, send money using NEFT and RTGS, transfer overseas, etc.
• Pay credit card bills, insurance premium, FASTag, domestic gas and water, etc.
• Apply for a pre-approved credit card, personal loan, home loan, auto loan.
• Create a term deposit account, manage PPF account, current account, etc.
• Apply for retail loans like gold loan, track loan application, etc.
• Start investment in mutual funds, invest in stocks, open a demat and trading account.
• Usie UPI payments to send money to contact, mobile number, or scan a QR, etc.
• Access term life insurance, health, and travel insurance plans. 
• Book train, flight, and bus tickets as well as hotel room.
• Donate for a noble cause.
• Buy e-gift cards across categories.

Is Online Banking Safe?

Every banking institution applies different security features to ensure that customers can seamlessly have a safe and secure mobile banking experience. These include authentication via OTP, grid-based, and biometric authentication. 

Here are a few tips to safeguard your mobile banking application.

• Set up a password to access your mobile handset or tablet.
• Register for SMS alerts to keep track of your banking transactions.
• Delete banking messages received regularly via SMS and email.
• Do not save banking information, including debit or credit card number, CVV numbers, MPIN on your mobile device.
• Install effective mobile antivirus software on your device.
• Keep your mobile operating system and applications updated with latest security patches and upgrades.
• Do not enable auto-fill for log-in, or save mobile banking login details.
• Avoid using unsecured Wi-Fi, public or shared networks while using online banking apps.
• Log out from the mobile banking application as soon as you complete your transaction. 

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)