New report examines growth of mobile banking and payments.

• Position: Marketing News - Brief article

At the end of 2007, almost 1 million U.S. consumers were using mobile banking, according to a new report from TowerGroup, Needham, Mass. The report finds that the most critical driver for the successful evolution of mobile banking and payments will be the ability of financial institutions and mobile operators to balance ease of use with security.

In the report entitled, "Mobile Banking and Payments Security and Usability: What's in Your Mobile Wallet?" the company says that if consumers find registration and...