Most mobile financial development has thus far been retail user development. TowerGroup defines six levels of support that retail consumers can derive from financial services, across all channels. Basic customer-focused information, like market data, account information, news and quotes. The ability to execute basic financial transactional requests, such as stock trading or money transfer between accounts. Research builds on information with greater financial context, allowing users broader understanding of the texture they need to make financial decisions.
Basic research is free, more advanced research is poorly tailored to the mobile device.
Knowledge, Strategy and Guidance. These three support levels are the most sophisticated and relevant to mainstream financial consumers. Together, they provide an understanding of how facts or events impact a consumer's overall situation, how to react and plan, and how to adapt this plan over time. TowerGroup believes that future mobile content will play directly into knowledge and support steady consumer pricing levels. In some world areas, technology, consumer sentiment and lack of wireline Internet access give FSIs reason to believe that profitability will emerge sooner rather than later.