Mobile Banking Basics: Safe and Simple
Check balances, transfer money, deposit checks. Banking from your phone, safely.
Check balances, transfer money, and deposit checks from home
Most banks have a free app. Once set up, you can do many banking tasks without visiting a branch. Here’s how to do it safely.
Getting the app
Download your bank’s app from the App Store or Google Play. Only use the official app — check the developer name. Log in with the same username and password you use for online banking.
What you can do
- Check account balances
- View recent transactions
- Transfer money between your accounts
- Pay bills
- Deposit checks by taking a photo
- Send money to others (Zelle, etc.)
Staying safe
- Use a strong password and turn on two-factor authentication.
- Only use the app on your own device, not shared or public ones.
- Log out when you’re done, especially on shared devices.
- Your bank will never ask for your password by email or text.
Quick tips
- Set up alerts for large transactions or low balances.
- Review your statements regularly in the app.
- If something looks wrong, call your bank directly.