Mobile payments are catching on with community banks, according to a new biennial survey from the Independent Community Bankers of America. According to the 2013 ICBA Community Bank Payments Survey, 37 percent of community banks offer mobile payments, up from 23 percent in 2011, while another 43 percent said they plan to offer the services by 2015.

Larger community banks are leading in mobile banking, according to the survey; 54 percent of banks with assets of $501 million or more offer mobile payments, while 46 percent of community banks with $251 million to $500 million do so.

The banks also see payments as a way to build lasting customer relationships; only 59 percent of respondents cited increasing profitability as one of their most important payments strategies, down from 70 percent in 2011. While 55 percent of community banks continue to see payments as a source of efficiency, more now see payments as a way to improve customer service.

"The 2013 ICBA Community Bank Payments Survey confirms what we are seeing anecdotally in the marketplace — that community banks are increasingly offering mobile banking services to meet the evolving needs of their customers and enhance overall customer service," Viveca Ware, ICBA executive vice president, regulatory policy, said in a news release. "The survey also reveals that community banks are increasingly seeing payments as a relationship-builder — something that is right in line with the community bank relationship lending model."

According to the survey, consumer remote deposit capture seems to have peaked among community banks overall, which may suggest that many banks believe the risks related to this product outweigh the rewards. Others seem to be waiting for the product to mature before offering it to customers, the group said.

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