Boomers are taking control of their finances – unless banks demonstrate how their products help, they will become a casualty of newly engaged boomers looking for change.

For most boomers, the recession has not had a major impact on their retirement hopes – because their retirement hopes were always modest. The recession and stock market losses may have forced a few baby boomers, particularly moderately wealthy boomers, to adjust their image of retirement. However, almost three-quarters of baby boomers have less than $100,000 in investable assets. For these “mass market” boomers, the stereotypical pre-recession image of retirement was always far outside of their financial means. Mass market boomers have modest retirement expectations: they will reduce their living expenses, continue to work part-time, and travel very little. Read More »

I’ve spent the last few weeks reviewing retail banking products launched within the past 12 months, working to identify the key product trends that have emerged.  I’ve selected seven trends to focus on – from educational web sites to transparency to credit– and noted what the best examples look like (more on this later).  Yet, there is one trend I left on the cutting room floor: mobile banking.  Instead, I’m exploring it here in the blogosphere in hopes that someone will let me know if I should create trend number 8.

Sure, everyone keeps saying that mobile banking is going to be huge.  In fact, just this week American Banker told us that 2009 marked a turning point for mobile banking and that 2010 will be the year when mobile banking gains real acceptance.  However, many of the executives I speak with still aren’t sure how much to invest in mobile banking, and neither am I. So, when I finally upgraded my ancient cell phone to a smart phone, I decided to see what all the hubbub was about:

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