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Mountain America Credit Union has launched a new app for the Apple iPad that will allow its members who own the popular tablet computer to conduct much of their financial business online.
The new iPad app represents the latest incarnation of earlier programs developed by the credit union for iPhones and iPods.
"This new app is part of an overall strategy we have that is aimed at enhancing the availability of mobile services for our members," said Todd Lindemann, an assistant vice president of electronic and card services at Mountain America.
At its heart, the mobile strategy represents a recognition by Mountain America that most people these days have access to a cell/mobile device much more often than they do to a personal computer, Lindemann said.
"People carry their mobile devices with them 100 percent of the time, while they typically only have access to their PCs at home or at work," he said.
Mountain America, which claims 63 branches in four states and $2.8 billion in assets, said the new iPad app will allow credit union members to check their balances, view transaction history, transfer funds and pay loans online — all while on the go.
Scott Simpson, president of the Utah Credit Union Association, said over the past decade many of the state's larger member-owned cooperatives were among the country's first to embrace the potential offerings of online and mobile services.
"For some, they embraced that strategy almost out of necessity," Simpson said.
He explained that a decade ago, when Utah banks and credit unions were feuding, some of the state's largest credit unions faced restrictions that limited their ability to open new branches to serve their members.
"Many turned to the Web and began offering innovative online services as a way to reach out to their members," he said. "So in a way, I guess, we can thank the banks for encouraging us to innovate."
Of Mountain America's approximately 343,000 members, Lindemann said, about 22,000 use mobile devices to handle at least some of their financial transactions with the credit union.
"The mobile market is constantly evolving and we're committed to being a leader in this [the mobile device] space," he said.
Online Get the iPhone or iPad app
O Enter this URL into your browser to automatically launch the iTunes app store. Or search for Mountain America Credit Union in iTunes.
› itunes.apple.com
us/artist/macu/id336817469