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Comment by uhtred | Hacker News Reader

I'm amazed that banking apps are the make or break example for so many people when choosing a non-apple/non-google mobile OS. How much banking is everyone doing on-the-go?! Just use the website! Use the mobile website if you must!

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All the banks I use (in brazil), either only have mobile app to access the bank, or they require the bank's app to use the site (the app generates a 2FA token, you can't use a third-party 2fa manager like authy).

Most banks only allow check deposit by mobile (as opposed to desktop), but yes, desktop can do a lot. I'm incorporated, and some of my clients (usually new ones) will pay with a check, so without mobile I'll have to visit a branch/atm to deposit those.

And my banks still use SMS MFA, so I could login online using a dumber phone.

Maybe you did not read my last paragraph?

so you can't login to a bank website in the EU without having their app on your phone? WTF. Really? When did that happen? I know UK isn't in the EU anymore, but NatWest (UK bank) doesn't need me to have an app -- I can get an sms code.

No, but (at least in my country) most banks have used the PSD2 directive as a way to phase out HW tokens and force their proprietary apps to customers. But PSD2 does not really say this is required to comply.

The only alternative they offer is SMS-based 2FA which, unsurprisingly, often has an additional cost.

In the EU u need an app on the phone in order to do banking on the website. The app authenticates transactions.

That's not accurate. I validate all my transactions through SMS like I always have despite the directive.

I agree, but I would say the situation is not so good elsewhere. See my comment: https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=28135648

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