Consumers are slowly becoming more comfortable with their mobile purchasing habits.  According to a new study by Bankrate.com, half of mobile internet users have used a mobile device to make a major financial purchase, such as getting a mortgage, buying a car or investing in stocks.

Consumers most likely to have made a large transaction on their mobile device were between the ages of 30 and 49 (58% have done so).  Despite their tech-savvy reputation, only 46% of millennials (18-29 year-olds) have purchased major items on a mobile device.  That's only slightly more than people age 50 and older.

"There's evidence that Americans are growing more comfortable with using mobile devices to make purchases either online or at the checkout," says Mike Cetera, mobile finance analyst for Bankrate.com. "But we were curious whether people are using their phones to do more than buy a cup of coffee. This survey shows there are people willing to make major financial commitments over their phone or tablet."

Although mobile purchases are growing, Americans are moving cautiously.  The survey found that only 12% "always" or "often" use a phone or tablet for larger purchases.  Seniors appear to be the most reluctant to make large mobile transactions; over 6 in 10 have never made a big-ticket purchase this way.

Data security was named as the biggest concern among those who don't regularly use mobile devices for financial transactions.  Older Americans were far more likely to cite security fears as their primary reason not to use a mobile device to conduct major financial transactions.  53% of respondents 65 and older expressed this concern, while just 34% of millennials said this was the main reason to avoid large mobile transactions.

The survey was conducted by Princeton Survey Research Associates International (PRSAI) and can be seen in its entirety here:

http://www.bankrate.com/finance/auto/ready-to-buy-a-car-with-your-smartphone.aspx