US consumers are keen to use their mobile handsets for in-store payments, but the majority want to have just one credit/debit account for making such purchases, according to a new report.

A poll carried out by ABI Research at the end of 2007 suggests that consumers prefer a single account that is easy to manage on the handset.

"Our survey revealed a number of important attitudes toward contactless payments among US consumers," said principal ABI analyst Jonathan Collins.

"The desire for a single and separate account provides a heads-up to existing credit and debit card suppliers that new or separate products may be required to keep customers as they move to mobile payments.

"Furthermore, it shows potential for new and specialised mobile payment providers to step in as users turn to near-field communication enabled payments. "

The web-based survey drew opinions from a sample of more than 1,000 respondents drawn from across the US and ranging in age from 14 to 59.