Atlantic Canadians choose online banking as the most preferred method to pay bills

-- TD Canada Trust Everyday Banking Poll finds there's still opportunity for Atlantic Canadians to
take advantage of automatic and mobile banking services --

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TORONTO, Sept. 8, 2011 /CNW/ - Choosing to bank anytime, anywhere, online banking has been voted by Atlantic Canadians as the most preferred method of paying bills (64%), followed by pre-authorized debits (14%), branch banking (14%), telephone banking (4%), at an ATM (2%) and by cheques in the mail (2%).

According to the 2011 TD Canada Trust Everyday Banking Poll, Atlantic Canadians say the most significant change in their banking habits over the past five years has been adopting online banking (40%), and now three quarters of the region (74%) use online banking to pay their bills. Atlantic Canadians were also most likely in the country to nominate paperless recordkeeping (17% versus 12% nationally) as the most significant change.

"Anytime and anywhere, Canadians are increasingly turning to online banking for its convenience, security and ability to simplify how they manage their everyday finances," says Raymond Chun, Senior Vice President, TD Canada Trust. "Online banking gives Canadians access to banking information whenever they need it - and they can also use a tablet or smartphone to check account balances, pay bills and make transfers."

But Chun says there is still an opportunity for Atlantic Canadians to take advantage of other banking services that will help make saving and managing finances even easier. According to the poll, less than half of Atlantic Canadians (43%) take advantage of pre-authorized payments to pay their bills. However, they are among the most likely in the country to use automated savings programs (31% versus 28% nationally).

"Setting up pre-authorized debits to pay credit card and other bill balances each month is a simple and effective way to ensure payments are never missed. This saves money on late fees and interest and helps maintain a credit rating," says Chun. "With mobile banking, you can access your accounts, transfer funds or make payments with your mobile device anytime; from almost anywhere in the world."

"Plus automated savings programs are an easy way to help take the pain out of saving: your bank can set up a pre-authorized, regular transfer from your chequing account to a high-interest savings account."

The TD Canada Trust Everyday Banking Poll found Atlantic Canadians are least likely to have embraced mobile banking (2% versus 8% nationally). Those who don't use it say it's because they don't have a smartphone (71% versus 66% nationally) or they perceive it to be unsafe (11%) or too expensive (9%).

Instead, the poll found 18-to-34 year old Canadians are the most likely to use a mobile app for banking (19% versus 8% overall), for activities such as checking account balances (18% versus 7% overall), making transfers (10% versus 4% overall) and paying bills (8% versus 4% overall).

"Mobile banking is still in its infancy, but its popularity has grown exponentially as more and more Canadians switch to smartphones," says Chun. "As an example, within a year of its launch, more than 1 million Canadians downloaded the TD mobile app, making it the most downloaded banking app in the country."

Chun offers his tips on simple but effective ways Canadians can better manage their everyday banking and save money:

1. Make sure you're in the right bank account - Accounts are tailored for different needs, so make sure you're in one that gives you the right features and services for your type and frequency of use.
   
   
2. Consider maintaining the minimum monthly balance in your bank account - This may make sense for you and may allow you to avoid a monthly fee.
   
   
3. Bank and pay your bills online….and automatically

• Save time and money on stamps and envelopes by using online banking, which gives you the ability to view your spending history quickly and easily. It's more convenient, safe and secure, and environmentally-friendly.
• Receiving bills electronically can be easier to keep track of than paper statements, so they don't slip off your radar. Eliminating paper statements and bills will also help reduce your carbon footprint.
• Schedule payments so the money is withdrawn from your account just in time to make the due date, so you're not giving away your money before it's necessary. Keep in mind that transactions can take up to three business days to process.
• Consider setting up pre-authorized debits to pay your credit card and other bills' balances each month so that you can be sure to never miss a payment. This can save you money on late fees and interest and help maintain your credit rating.

About the 2011 TD Canada Trust Everyday Banking Poll

The 2011 TD Canada Trust Everyday Banking Poll surveyed a representative sample of 1,000 adult Canadians, including 125 from Atlantic Canada, through a custom, online survey. The survey was conducted by Environics Research Group between August 3 - 9, 2011.

About TD Canada Trust

TD Canada Trust offers personal and business banking to more than 11.5 million customers. We provide a wide range of products and services from chequing and savings accounts, to credit cards, mortgages and business banking, to credit protection and travel medical insurance, as well as advice on managing everyday finances. TD Canada Trust makes banking comfortable with award-winning service and convenience through 24/7 mobile, internet, telephone and ATM banking, as well as in over 1,100 branches - most open 8 'til late and many now open Sunday. For more information, please visit: www.tdcanadatrust.com. TD Canada Trust is the Canadian retail bank of TD Bank Group, the sixth largest bank in North America.