undefined | Better HN

0 pointsthisislife22mo ago0 comments

Or ... just don't install the apps and use the browser to do your banking.

0 comments

My (Canadian) bank extorted me into installing their app, literally blocking me from doing transfers of my own money without it - I had to install it and take a picture of myself and my ID. After this I was able to switch to sms authentication and delete it, but they’re obviously trying to force people onto the app, and eventually they will do so more aggressively.

Of course in Canada we have a banking oligopoly that is effectively there just to rob people, but ironically any of the “challenger” startup banks are 100% app based afaik

FpUser2mo ago

May I ask what bank? I use CIBC and RBC. They do not require any apps on the phone to reach whatever services they offer. I use all my work on desktop.

I did install app from CIBC for one single and the only purpose - deposit cheques sent to me by clients to my business account without having to go to ATM or the bank teller.

1 more reply

throwaway20372mo ago

    > Of course in Canada we have a banking oligopoly that is effectively there just to rob people

Are there any OECD nations that don't have a banking oligopoly? I can think of at least one: Germany, because they have Sparkasse (community banks). Does Canada have community banks like Germany and the United States? If yes, then you should vote with your wallet and switch.

noir_lord2mo ago

UK has building societies, they function like a bank mostly but are mutual (owned by it's members).

In my experience they are more pleasant to deal with, tend to be smaller/more conservative with tech and you can speak to a human when shit goes sideways.

Mine has never laundered money for the cartels (unlike my other bank) which is a plus as well.

john01dav2mo ago

Perhaps you need a tech person to partner with experienced bank people to create a new bank that isn't shit

riedel2mo ago

Does not work anymore for many banks in Germany. I have 2 accounts that require me to have different second factor apps installed. For one bank I would have to open a separate account with a debit card to use hw tan generator. For the other AI would have to switch bank account after the regulators banned SMS and indexed paper TANs.

malux852mo ago

Assuming the browser has feature parity. I was visiting my parents over Xmas and my dad couldn’t make a payment because the number of saved payees was capped to 100. There was literally no option to delete a payee in the website, the only way we found was to install the app, authenticate, and do it in there. It’s happening already.

thewebguyd2mo ago

I hate that this is happening. I absolutely detest doing any kind of task other than pure content consumption and basic messaging from a smart phone.

Anything remotely more advanced than that, please let me use my computer and an app or website with, you know, an interface designed for more advanced operations.

Trying to do anything on a smartphone/touchscreen only device is nothing but an effort in pure frustration for me.

deaux2mo ago

How are people on HN of all places still this short-sighted to not understand that this will stop being an option? It's incredible to see like 10 individuals commenting this all over threads like these. Think before you comment.

lfliosdjf2mo ago

Its already not an option in India with axis bank. Without mobile you can't do digital login.

j / k navigate · click thread line to collapse