The list of banks developing mobile apps keeps expanding, with Standard Chartered Bank and ASB Bank of New Zealand, two of the more forward-thinking ventures out there, in development. 

Standard Chartered is working on an Android app, while ASB is planning to roll out an iPhone app soon.

What’s interesting is that word of these new development efforts comes as research suggests that customer loyalty to the iPhone is notably higher than to Android phones.

“Regarding user loyalty, we see that as an individual device, iPhone scores highest, whereas Android owners do not have that loyal relationship their current Android phone – there are hundreds of Android device models nowadays,” said Dr. Hannu Verkasalo, CEO of Zokem, a Helsinki, Finland, research venture.

“However, as an operating system, Android shows very strong repurchase rates – people who are using Android today are very likely to buy an Android phone as their next device,” he said.

I don’t see how a bank worth its salt does not have a comprehensive mobile banking strategic plan in place today. There is little doubt in my mind that mobile banking will command a significant portion of banking activity in the near term. To let a competitor seize your customers because that competitor offers mobile banking services is beyond me. Eventually, the mobile-less bank’s customers will revolt. Don’t say I didn’t tell you so.