Raising the Bar on Mobile Investing

Most investment firms, wary about security and not yet feeling pressure from customers, are sitting on the mobile app sidelines. Others are only offering basic account balance and stock trades, but change is coming. Expect to see more firms begin to provide innovative products and services that take advantage of the inherent functionality of iPhone, Android and BlackBerry devices. Here are a few highlights from first-movers:

• TD Ameritrade has revamped their mobile application for the iPad to fully use the tablet’s expanded screen real estate. Customers can scan 180 different charts, watch live streaming news video and scroll through full-screen positions, orders and watch lists.
   
• Citibank Private Bank provides a wide variety of information to its iPad customers, including thought leadership articles, economic commentaries, equity and fixed income analysis and video interviews.
   
• E*Trade was one of the first large brokers to offer mobile trading. To promote their mobile platform, Mobile Pro, E*Trade offers 60 days of free trading plus a $500 deposit into an E*Trade account.
   
• OptionsHouse Mobile Trading Platform customers can easily synchronize their mobile app with their desktop trading system. They can also practice trades through a virtual trading account.
   
• Charles Schwab announced that it will add mobile remote deposit, funds transfer and bill pay to its mobile iPhone and iPad apps.