Internet Banking Is So 1999

Brick and mortar banks were limited to their locations and opening hours, cue the entry of internet banking. As technology improved, cellphone advancements soon paved the way for a new era of finance: mobile banking.

Not all banks are equal and certainly not all bank apps, we’ve taken the liberty of creating a list of the top banking apps available. In order of merit:

1. Standard Chartered Breeze
Besides handling all your internet banking requirements with ease, the Breeze lives up to its namesake. Short on cash? The Breeze’s handy ATM locator uses the in phone GPS to track automated teller machines relative to your position. Forgot your cheque book? Here's a nifty feature, send an e-cheque! Fill up your details, the details of the payee and Standchart will do the rest. And because no one has a photographic memory, the in-app promotions brochure sorted by category and merchant is simply to die for. Magic.

2. OCBC Bank
While not as pretty as Standard Chartered’s Breeze, the OCBC app is quite thorough in its implementation. Unfortunately, it’s not a completely native app. The software still depends on the browser to open pages and functions in Safari. This doesn’t lend for a speedy or seamless experience.

3. MayBank
Though not exactly a banking app, MayBank’s effort receives 3^rd place and special mention because ATM locator is thorough, speedy and doesn’t quite clutter the screen with a confusing mess of icons like the Breeze. Additionally, the app tracks privileges that can be enjoyed by a MayBank user by location. This app is certainly very handy.

4. DBS & POSB
It’s basically the same app, one skinned in DBS red and the other in POSB blue. It’s unfortunate that the “people’s bank” and Singapore’s very own top 50 global bank has made very little effort in making an app as user friendly and thoughtful as the Breeze. Never the less, you can handle your basic internet banking needs here.

5. Citibank
The CITI app. It’s not even an app, it’s just a button that opens a browser to its mobile banking website. Not an ounce of effort, surprising coming from one of the world’s most popular and visible banks.