In tablet banking, consumers just want to have fun.

That’s one way the device is different from other customer touch points. As such — and because there’s more real estate than a smartphone — banks have taken note of the fact they must uniquely design for the channel and offer customers “delightful” and “stunning” visual experiences and ways to engage with the institution to garner usage.

BBVA Compass, which first launched an iPad app in 2010, is readying to give consumers more functionality through its iPad app, with plans to launch an app upgrade by month’s end. The bank said the update will include features like direct enrollment to mobile banking, access to weekly economic updates from BBVA Research, as well as pay bills and view check images, transaction receipts, account statements and charts, along with cash flow and bill payment pie charts.

BBVA first launched its iPad app with retrieve balances, review transactions, transfer funds and find local branches. The technology was developed in house.

We are curious to see what other features banks will bring to market through the touchpoint. In designing for tablet banking, how consumers are using the device differently from their smartphones is also interesting to determining new features. We have written on this opportunity before, but it’s worth reiterating: Consumers use their tablets while watching television. This suggests at least two things. One, there are opportunities for TV and tablets to work off one another; and two, consumers will spend more time on a tablet app.