Most South Africans use their cellphone banking services to buy airtime for themselves or their loved ones.

This was revealed on Tuesday at a presentation of the annual World Wide Worx mobility research study, which looks at the use of mobile devices, internet and money in the country.

According to ‘The Mobility 2014 research study’ all forms of mobile banking transactions increased over the past year in the southern African nation.

The research has further predicted that more app usage for cellphone banking can be expected in the next year.

Using the USSD protocol for banking transactions increased from 26% to 32% in 2013, the study revealed. And buying airtime through USSD reached the 49% mark during the year.

The study also revealed a shift in the mobile banking apps environment.

From only 1% of all banking customers using banking apps in mid-2012, the figure shot up to 9% in late 2013.

Overall cellphone banking surged from 28% in mid-2012 to 37% in late 2013, outlined in the research study.

Dione Sankar, head of cellphone banking and messaging at FNB, said cellphone banking has continued to grow among their customers especially with the introduction of USSD technology.

“One in ten banking customers are now using apps and that number is still rising fast, which vindicates our strategy of expanding our offerings as the market’s use of these tools evolves,” said Sankar in a press statement.

“At the same time, looking after the non-smartphone customer through basic cellphone banking has also paid off. We have never experienced such dramatic growth across all mobile channels,” he added.