Wells Fargo’s (NYSE: WFC) mobile banking service received an “Exceptional – A” rating from ABI Research based on their U.S. Banks Report Card. ABI does market research in relationship to emerging technology around the globe.

The mobile intelligence gathered from mobile banking programs was based on several categories – reach, breadth of services offered, security, and how easy it was to find out about a banks mobile banks services and access by consumers to the information. A total of 29 U.S. banks were surveyed by ABI.

In a press release, Secil Watson, senior vice president, Online Customer Experience Management, Money Movement Solutions and Retail Mobile Banking at Wells Fargo said, “We`re pleased to be recognized as a leader in mobile banking. We created our mobile web site and text banking services more than two years ago with a focus on a clean and simple design to ensure easy account access for our customers. Our customers want to be in control of their money, and mobile banking is one more way we`re offering anywhere, anytime access.”
 
According to their press release, here are several features and benefits that make the service work so well:

  1.  * Mobile Web Site: Customers who browse the web on their mobile phone can go to Wells Fargo`s mobile web site at WF.com and sign on to their bank accounts to:
  2. review account balances, review account activity, transfer funds, pay bills and find the nearest ATM.
  3. * Text Message: Customers who send text messages on their phone can send a text message to the short code “93557″ (for “WELLS” on traditional keypads) to automatically receive their balance within moments – without having to log in.
  4. Customers just type “bal” to review primary account balance, “bal all” to review all account balances or “act” to review recent account activity.

Another benefit looked for by consumers and ABI is the ability to use a mobile service by more than one type of mobile phone. With Wells Fargo, you can access the service using a BlackBerry® smartphone and iPhone and iPod®.

As far as mobile banking security for the Wells Fargo mobile service, a user is covered by the same guarantee you get from an online banking transaction from Wells Fargo Online Banking. An added security measure is to allow no more information out than is listed on a regular ATM receipt, and nicknames are used instead of account numbers. Overall a nice mobile banking service at this stage of the game.

Many banks haven’t even rolled out mobile banking services yet, so those offering now like Wells Fargo, are way ahead of the mobile banking game.