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Can you advise a bank account? I have three, currently, and they all require a smartphone to use them. My GitHub account now also requires a smartphone to log i

Can you advise a bank account? I have three, currently, and they all require a smartphone to use them. My GitHub account now also requires a smartphone to log in for 2fa, which I was required to setup on my account (they do have SMS functionality, but not in my country). More and more, a smartphone is simply inescapable as a form of identity. It sucks - but the backup form of identity is a phone number, which sucks even more.

jklein11 5y ago
What country are you in? In the US I am beyond happy with Charles Schwab. I’ve been using them for ~10 years and I can’t think of a reason why I would switch.
- teserodo 5y ago
  Ireland. There are strict regulations around 2fa for online banking.
ALittleLight 5y ago
I have only ever used one bank (Wells Fargo) my entire life, so I am not a good candidate to suggest banks. I am satisfied with Wells Fargo though, for what it's worth. I can log in through the browser.
- teserodo 5y ago
  I'm from Europe. There's all kinds is new regulations around 2fa for banking apps that came out last year, logging in seems to absolutely require a phone now, and all my accounts use an app to do it.
  - ranguna 5y ago
    2fa through SMS? You don't need a smartphone for that. I don't know about Ireland, but in Portugal most banks have a Web app and not just a mobile app.
    - swen-rekcah 5y ago
      Sorry I should have been clearer - the banking app is Monzo and they don’t have a web app for mobile or desktop
      - deleted 5y ago
        [deleted]
      - maccard 5y ago
        If you're using monzo I'm guessing UK - pretty much all the banks other than monzo, starling, revolut are _fine_
  - Symbiote 5y ago
    Neither of my British accounts require a smartphone to log in, they send an SMS or make a voice call. My Danish account uses either an app or SMS. You probably can't use a startup bank, as the app is one way they cut costs. Use a boring bank.
    - mrweasel 5y ago
      Just curious: Doesn't you Danish account still support the little cardboard card with the one-time codes? Personally I really hate that they want to kill the card, and go to an app model (with the option of a key fob). It's made even worse by the police (and others) pushing the idea that the app is safer. How is it safer to have your two-factor authentication app on the same devices as the apps that need the second factor? Those things should be separate.
      - Symbiote 5y ago
        You are correct, I can also use the code card of one-use keys. I was confused by the recent change where online purchases require an SMS or the app, and no longer work with the code card. I think the app is probably encouraged since it protects against a phishing site like this: hxxp://tilbagebetaling1060dkk.net/1060DKK/ -- but I'm not quite sure how.
    - flal_ 5y ago
      SMS as a 2nd factor is ( for a very good reason ) prohibited by dspp2 European directive. You.might have escaped that with brexit though. Even old school banks ( French dude here ) are forced to use apps as 2fa, but my bank for example can provide an hardware token, or a smartcard.
  - salsadip 5y ago
    In case you use macOS and own a M1 mac, check if your bank's 2fa app works on macOS. Your bank can deactivate it but iOS apps default to being runnable under macOS.
  - thorin 5y ago
    UK here: Barclays don't require the app. You can still use the website or even telephone banking with a real agent. They do give you the chip and pin reader, the same as the one used in branches which works well. Santander do seem to use a mobile for 2FA but only to send a text message and you can still use the website. I rarely have to do more than 1 banking transaction / week so I just use the website, from home. Not too bothered about having another app, especially with access to my bank account.
swen-rekcah 5y ago
Sorry I should have been clearer - the banking app is Monzo and they don’t have a web app for mobile or desktop
KMnO4 5y ago
> My GitHub account now also requires a smartphone to log in for 2fa TOTP isn’t exclusive to mobile apps. You can easily use the authenticator from a desktop. Some password managers (eg 1Password) have this built in as well.
toast0 5y ago
Not intending to offend or be offensive, but how do old people bank in your country? My parents wouldn't be caught dead with a smartphone, but they still need to do banking.
- livre 5y ago
  I can't speak for GP but we have mobile-only* banks in my country too. They usually have better interest rates, let you easily pay your bills from the app and let anyone open an account with just an ID. Many traditional banks have a lot of not so easy to meet requirements for opening an account and not so good customer service. Old people still use traditional banks because they are used to them and don't mind waiting 4 or 5 hours in queue for something that only takes 2 minutes on an app or a website. * To clarify this, I don't mean banks that require a mobile app for TOTP or some sort of security, I mean banks that only let you operate through their mobile app. Their website is usually just a link to the app stores. and some FAQ, they don't have a physical location you can go.

jklein11 5y ago

What country are you in? In the US I am beyond happy with Charles Schwab. I’ve been using them for ~10 years and I can’t think of a reason why I would switch.

teserodo 5y ago
Ireland. There are strict regulations around 2fa for online banking.

ALittleLight 5y ago

I have only ever used one bank (Wells Fargo) my entire life, so I am not a good candidate to suggest banks. I am satisfied with Wells Fargo though, for what it's worth. I can log in through the browser.

teserodo 5y ago
I'm from Europe. There's all kinds is new regulations around 2fa for banking apps that came out last year, logging in seems to absolutely require a phone now, and all my accounts use an app to do it.
- ranguna 5y ago
  2fa through SMS? You don't need a smartphone for that. I don't know about Ireland, but in Portugal most banks have a Web app and not just a mobile app.
  - swen-rekcah 5y ago
    Sorry I should have been clearer - the banking app is Monzo and they don’t have a web app for mobile or desktop
    - deleted 5y ago
      [deleted]
    - maccard 5y ago
      If you're using monzo I'm guessing UK - pretty much all the banks other than monzo, starling, revolut are _fine_
- Symbiote 5y ago
  Neither of my British accounts require a smartphone to log in, they send an SMS or make a voice call. My Danish account uses either an app or SMS. You probably can't use a startup bank, as the app is one way they cut costs. Use a boring bank.
  - mrweasel 5y ago
    Just curious: Doesn't you Danish account still support the little cardboard card with the one-time codes? Personally I really hate that they want to kill the card, and go to an app model (with the option of a key fob). It's made even worse by the police (and others) pushing the idea that the app is safer. How is it safer to have your two-factor authentication app on the same devices as the apps that need the second factor? Those things should be separate.
    - Symbiote 5y ago
      You are correct, I can also use the code card of one-use keys. I was confused by the recent change where online purchases require an SMS or the app, and no longer work with the code card. I think the app is probably encouraged since it protects against a phishing site like this: hxxp://tilbagebetaling1060dkk.net/1060DKK/ -- but I'm not quite sure how.
  - flal_ 5y ago
    SMS as a 2nd factor is ( for a very good reason ) prohibited by dspp2 European directive. You.might have escaped that with brexit though. Even old school banks ( French dude here ) are forced to use apps as 2fa, but my bank for example can provide an hardware token, or a smartcard.
- salsadip 5y ago
  In case you use macOS and own a M1 mac, check if your bank's 2fa app works on macOS. Your bank can deactivate it but iOS apps default to being runnable under macOS.
- thorin 5y ago
  UK here: Barclays don't require the app. You can still use the website or even telephone banking with a real agent. They do give you the chip and pin reader, the same as the one used in branches which works well. Santander do seem to use a mobile for 2FA but only to send a text message and you can still use the website. I rarely have to do more than 1 banking transaction / week so I just use the website, from home. Not too bothered about having another app, especially with access to my bank account.

swen-rekcah 5y ago

Sorry I should have been clearer - the banking app is Monzo and they don’t have a web app for mobile or desktop

KMnO4 5y ago

> My GitHub account now also requires a smartphone to log in for 2fa TOTP isn’t exclusive to mobile apps. You can easily use the authenticator from a desktop. Some password managers (eg 1Password) have this built in as well.

toast0 5y ago

Not intending to offend or be offensive, but how do old people bank in your country? My parents wouldn't be caught dead with a smartphone, but they still need to do banking.

livre 5y ago
I can't speak for GP but we have mobile-only* banks in my country too. They usually have better interest rates, let you easily pay your bills from the app and let anyone open an account with just an ID. Many traditional banks have a lot of not so easy to meet requirements for opening an account and not so good customer service. Old people still use traditional banks because they are used to them and don't mind waiting 4 or 5 hours in queue for something that only takes 2 minutes on an app or a website. * To clarify this, I don't mean banks that require a mobile app for TOTP or some sort of security, I mean banks that only let you operate through their mobile app. Their website is usually just a link to the app stores. and some FAQ, they don't have a physical location you can go.