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Chicagoans Sleeping with Their Smartphones


Mobile phone first thing on their minds over coffee, significant other and
toothbrush; more than half of Chicago residents prefer digital banking

Mobile phones are increasingly essential to everyday life. Accordingly, the second
annual Bank of America Trends in Consumer Mobility Report delves further into
Americans evolving attitudes and feelings toward smartphones and uncovers
insights into how consumers are interacting and communicating on these devices.
It also takes a closer look at how mobile phones are affecting consumers banking
behaviors over time, seeking to explain where, why and how they are using mobile
devices to manage their finances.


Always On

Chicago residents are falling asleep and waking up to
their smartphones. Nearly three-quarters (73 percent) of
Chicagoans are sleeping with their mobile phone, and
more than one-third (38 percent) say it is the first thing
they reach for in the morning, ahead of their coffee
(14 percent), significant other (11 percent) and even their
toothbrush (10 percent). Additionally, three in 10
(30 percent) admit that they have fallen asleep with their
smartphone in their hand.

Whats more, nearly six in 10 (58 percent) Chicago
residents check their smartphone at least once an hour,
and one-third (33 percent) say they never fully disconnect
from their mobile phones. This need for constant
connection extends to banking approximately four in 10 (38 percent) Chicagoans using a mobile
banking app access it at least once a day, nearly double the national average at 20 percent. Chicago
residents also ranked significantly higher than the national average when it comes to:
Tracking the spending habits of others via mobile banking (24 percent vs. 13 percent nationally)
Spying on family or friends location via mobile phone (13 percent vs. 7 percent nationally)
Being unable to last one day without their smartphone (51 percent vs. 44 percent nationally)

Banking Behaviors

Chicago residents are increasingly turning to digital channels to engage with their financial institutions.
More than half (53 percent) of Chicagoans use either mobile or online as their primary method of
banking, while one in five (20 percent) complete the majority of their banking transactions at a bank
branch. Nearly two-thirds (65 percent) have at least tried mobile banking, and 53 percent are actively
using a mobile banking app.


In further examining behaviors of Chicagoans using a mobile banking app:
Popular activities include checking balances or statements (67 percent), viewing transactions (67
percent), and paying bills (42 percent)
Nearly three-quarters (73 percent) use mobile check deposit, an increase of 10 percent from
2014 (63 percent) and 10 percent higher than the national average (63 percent)
Majority (94 percent) use banking notifications and alerts, such as bill pay (48 percent) and low
balance (42 percent) alerts, which is higher than any other region surveyed

Chicagoans also prove to be comfortable with emerging trends in technology. Nearly two-thirds (64
percent) would consider paying someone using person-to-person payments via a mobile banking app,
which is higher than any other region surveyed, while more than four in 10 (45 percent) would consider
or have already used their smartphone to make a purchase at checkout, 11 percent higher than the
national average (34 percent). Additionally, nearly half (48 percent) of residents would consider or have
already purchased wearable technology, which is higher than any region surveyed. When asked about
the reason for purchasing a wearable device, Chicagoans are most interested in tracking their fitness
activity (29 percent), followed by creating efficiencies (28 percent) and appearing as trend setters (18
percent).

Mobile Etiquette

With the increase in smartphone use comes a growing focus on mobile manners. Nearly three-quarters
(73 percent) of Chicagoans cite they have mobile boundaries, believing some places are not appropriate
for mobile phones. Residents ranked movie theaters as the most irritating place people use their
smartphones (29 percent), followed by religious institutions (18 percent) and restaurants (13 percent).

In looking at their own mobile behaviors, nearly four in 10 (38 percent) Chicagoans fessed up to texting
during meal time, 35 percent admit to taking a phone call on public transportation and more than one-
third (34 percent) are checking their mobile device mid-conversation.

At a glance: Mobile use across the country


About Bank of America Mobile Banking



Bank of America is continuously focused on providing customers ease and convenience in mobile
banking. Bank of Americas mobile banking platform remains a key source of increased customer
engagement and satisfaction with more than 17 million active users, growing at a rate of approximately
5,000 users per day. During the first quarter of 2015, mobile banking customers logged into their
accounts more than 625 million times, or almost 40 times per user. During that same period, customers
made nearly 19 million mobile bill payments and transferred money to others nearly 5 million times
simply by using their phone number or email address. Customers also used their mobile devices to
deposit more than 200,000 checks via mobile check deposit every day, and logged in 78,000 times to
schedule appointments with a personal banker or financial center specialist.

Methodology

Braun Research, Inc. (an independent market research company) conducted a nationally representative,
telephone survey on behalf of Bank of America between April 13-26, 2015. Braun surveyed 1,000
respondents throughout the U.S., comprised of adults 18+ with a current banking relationship (checking
or savings) and who own a smartphone. The survey was conducted by phone to a dual frame landline
and cell. In addition, 300 adults were also surveyed in nine target markets: California, Florida, Texas,
Atlanta, Boston, Charlotte, Chicago, Denver and New York. The margin of error for the national quota
(where n=1,011) is +/- 3.1 percent with a 95 percent confidence level; the margin of error for the
oversampled markets (where n=301-307) is +/- 5.6 percent; and the margin of error for the oversampled
markets (where n=300) is +/- 5.7 percent, with each reported at a 95 percent confidence level.

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