It's Apple Style

Earlier this month, JPMorgan Chase updated its iPhone app to allow customers to electronically deposit checks. To make a deposit, customers photograph the front and back of the check with the phone's built-in camera, then transmit the image to their account.

USAA has offered a deposit app since last August. Customers have used it to deposit 1.5 million checks worth more than $900 million, spokesman Paul Berry says.

Bank of America has tested a mobile deposit app but hasn't set a launch date, spokeswoman Tara Burke says.

USAA, which serves members of the military and their families, had a strong incentive to offer the mobile deposit: It has only one branch, located in San Antonio. Customers outside San Antonio can use other banks' ATMs for cash withdrawals, but in the past, they had to deposit checks by mail.

Chase customers can deposit checks at any of the bank's 1,500 branches or 10,000 ATMs. The bank's decision to offer mobile deposit reflects customer demand, spokesman Tom Kelly says.

"We know some iPhone users are passionate about using their iPhones for anything possible, and we are happy to help," he says.

Chase's decision to offer mobile deposit will force other banks to seriously consider offering their own app, says Bob Meara, senior analyst at Celent, a research firm. Because of its non-traditional structure, "a lot of banks were dismissive of USAA," he says. "They can't be dismissive of Chase."

USAA and Chase say they've installed several features to protect app depositors from fraud.

The innovation comes as the use of checks is declining. From 2007 to 2009, the number of checks handled by the Federal Reserve fell 14%. The Fed processes about a third of the USA's checks.

O'Leary, a content manager for a software company, says he'd use the deposit app even if USAA had a branch in his area.

"Going to the bank is not a fun experience," he says.

- USA TODAY Inputs