Filed under: Odds and ends, Freeware, iPhone, App Store
First Look: Mobile Banking on AT&T
While a lot of us have had internet banking for years, who would have thought that AT&T would have come up with a mobile banking app that lets you check accounts and pay bills for a number of banks through a single iPhone app?Mobile Banking on AT&T (click opens iTunes) from Firethorn Holdings, LLC is exactly that -- an iPhone app that gives you full control over your money at 50 different banks nationwide. While the majority of the banks listed appear to be in the southeast USA, several nationwide banks including Wachovia, SunTrust, and USAA are participating in the program.
I was pleased to see that my business bank, FirstBank, with brick and mortar banks in Colorado, Arizona, and California, was one of the companies on the AT&T list. You need to sign up through your bank's secure website, enter your iPhone number, pick a six-digit PIN, then perform an authorization from the device using a code displayed on the website. Once activated, you can see balances, make transfers, and pay ebills.
What's your favorite iPhone banking app? Or have you moved all of your funds to a coffee can buried in the back yard? Leave a comment!
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
Daniel said 9:32AM on 11-04-2008
Americans, remember: don't buy everything on credit. ;)
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keviano said 9:41AM on 11-04-2008
Excellent app. Finally those snooty Bank of America customers will stop lording their dedicated iPhone app over us Wachovia people. I often need reminding how broke I am.
Thanks for the heads up Steven.
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Chris G. said 9:46AM on 11-04-2008
Calling the Bank of America iPhone app something to brag about is a bit stretching things.
Outside of the location search stuff, it is just a wrapper around a web browser that lets you view the horrific Bank of America mobile web site.
It sucks. So much potential, horrible execution.
Squid7085 said 11:45AM on 11-04-2008
Good thing I am not the only one that thinks that. I don't even use the "App" anymore, it is useless, the Website works better, and all they did on that is make a fancy start page. When I saw that BoA had a Native App early I figured they would develop it, I was wrong they haven't touched it. I for one am jealous of this app, this is what the BoA app should have been long ago.
The Chad said 9:56AM on 11-04-2008
Pageonce is pretty awesome for this. Except they just added ads to it...
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Dah Cheet said 10:04AM on 11-04-2008
I use balance sheet to keep track of my checking account on my iPod Touch. The biggest qualm is that it only does one account (hoping for an update). I don't pay bills and what not via my iPod Touch though. I use my banks website or their nifty self-service telephone service.
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Mr Yuk said 10:07AM on 11-04-2008
Funny how the iPhone is not listed as a compatable phone on the AT&T link.
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Zoli said 10:08AM on 11-04-2008
I really wish Bank of America's app looked like this.
I use Pageonce most of the time.
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brian said 10:14AM on 11-04-2008
Why does iPhone apps look so much better than any other mobile phone apps??? I totally envy this!
http://www.livbit.com
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kris said 10:14AM on 11-04-2008
why can't I use Bank of America on this :(
I want Mint on my iPhone!!
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Rachel said 11:47AM on 11-05-2008
I agree! Mint iPhone app would be amazing!
SwissFreek said 10:35AM on 11-04-2008
Personally I don't find PageOnce, Bank of America Mobile, or any of those other "online" apps useful for one reason: you rely on what the bank is telling you. I have gotten myself into trouble with Bank of America because their system can and does often take days to register transactions (a problem I've never had with other banks). To me, a "banking app" is like Quicken, one which I can enter my own transactions as I make them, and then balance my "checkbook" with what the bank tells me later. Having current and future balance is also a must-have for me so I can plan ahead for rent and loans and what have you and avoid becoming overdrawn even if I have $3000 in the bank at this very second.
Anyway, my personal choice for the iPhone is PocketMoney. It's not perfect but it's pretty damned good, does the things that I really need it to (some of which were even added at my request, which makes me feel appreciated as a customer) and a bunch of stuff I don't need but is nice to have. The developer has been doing this sort of thing for years on the Palm and other platforms. He's very responsive to feature requests and bug reports, and development on the app is active and significant. So that's my vote.
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tmsruge said 10:31AM on 11-04-2008
It won't let me download. I get an (error -4). Any body know what's up with that?
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moburkhardt said 10:35AM on 11-04-2008
anyone know of an app for any international people you know those of us lucky enough not to be living in the united states of america
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Fubar said 10:50AM on 11-04-2008
I use the BoA app but am not thrilled with it. Now if/when Intuit gets it together and gets a iPhone/Touch version of Quicken going then I will be a VERY happy customer. I LOVE me my Quicken!
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Billy said 11:22AM on 11-04-2008
Hello?? citibank guys?? some of your customers have iphones...
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Rafe H. said 11:26AM on 11-04-2008
Here Firethorn Holdings, LLC, take my username and password to all my banks. Please be careful with them and don't give them out to anyone. I can only assume your security architecture is as good as the banks you link to.
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Matt said 12:12PM on 11-04-2008
I've been waiting for either an online web app, or a native iPhone app to check my bank account at TD Bank (Previously Commerce Bank). I've found articles that the company has a mobile bank account website, however I cannot find it anywhere. Hmmm...I could really use something like this...
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Mike said 12:11PM on 11-04-2008
B of A?
Citibank?
those are my banks! maybe add 'em!
:)
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Jason said 12:44PM on 11-04-2008
No Chase/JP Morgan/Washington Mutual, sad.
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