Recommendations for alternative bank - HSBC requiring phone app

Saver73

Rich2808 said:

While they are keen to promote the use of the mobile app HSBC haven't phased out physical keys yet in the UK - and you can still use them and order new ones in branches etc?

Did I miss them announcing an end date?

One option of course is to have a second phone which you leave at home for banking apps - so you aren't carrying it around with you.

I'm still using the HSBC physical key, though I get the prompts every time I log in to update to the digital key on the app, which I'm able to bypass.

Has there been an announcement re the phasing out of the physical keys?

I had the first one for many years and when it stopped working I got a replacement.  Can't remember how long I've had the current one so hopefully it won't stop working any time soon ....

Saver73

according to google ...

Not being phased out

HSBC's physical Secure Key is not being phased out in the UK. Users can continue to use the physical Secure Key alongside the HSBC Mobile Banking app, but they cannot have both simultaneously. If you prefer to use the app, you will need to deactivate the digital key and request a new physical Secure Key

Nasqueron

clairec666 said:

Nasqueron said:

clairec666 said:

Rich2808 said:

While they are keen to promote the use of the mobile app HSBC haven't phased out physical keys yet in the UK - and you can still use them and order new ones in branches etc?

Did I miss them announcing an end date?

One option of course is to have a second phone which you leave at home for banking apps - so you aren't carrying it around with you.

I resent HSBC's approach and I think everyone should be given choice as to how they access their account.

Is there any reason they can't do a "secure code by text message" like some other banks do?

To be blunt - this is how private businesses work, they don't cater to individual whims but what is profitable for them, quite rightly private firms should not be forced to keep using card readers where there are better ways

SMS is even less secure so is rightly being stopped

I've nothing against newer app-only banks, they have built their businesses on a younger tech-savvy clientele and aren't ever going to provide branches, or often even phone lines too. But I think high-street providers should still be catering for their existing customers rather than coercing them into using technology they might not be comfortable with.

For the record, I'm not an "older" customer, but I don't want to use an app for everything.

Nothing about the age, First Direct have been around online for decades, plenty of older people work without branches though all of them have phone lines to some extent e.g. for fraud reporting. You're welcome to your opinion but it's simply how businesses operate that they should be allowed to move to other systems that the vast majority use

clairec666

Nasqueron said:

clairec666 said:

Nasqueron said:

clairec666 said:

Rich2808 said:

While they are keen to promote the use of the mobile app HSBC haven't phased out physical keys yet in the UK - and you can still use them and order new ones in branches etc?

Did I miss them announcing an end date?

One option of course is to have a second phone which you leave at home for banking apps - so you aren't carrying it around with you.

I resent HSBC's approach and I think everyone should be given choice as to how they access their account.

Is there any reason they can't do a "secure code by text message" like some other banks do?

To be blunt - this is how private businesses work, they don't cater to individual whims but what is profitable for them, quite rightly private firms should not be forced to keep using card readers where there are better ways

SMS is even less secure so is rightly being stopped

I've nothing against newer app-only banks, they have built their businesses on a younger tech-savvy clientele and aren't ever going to provide branches, or often even phone lines too. But I think high-street providers should still be catering for their existing customers rather than coercing them into using technology they might not be comfortable with.

For the record, I'm not an "older" customer, but I don't want to use an app for everything.

Nothing about the age, First Direct have been around online for decades, plenty of older people work without branches though all of them have phone lines to some extent e.g. for fraud reporting. You're welcome to your opinion but it's simply how businesses operate that they should be allowed to move to other systems that the vast majority use

HSBC are free to go app-only if that's how they want to run their business. What is annoying me is that they offer "online banking" but are not-so-subtly trying to lead people towards their app instead. If they don't want to offer access via a web browser, they should just do away with it altogether and be upfront about it. In which case, I'll make my decision as to whether to install the app or ditch HSBC and go elsewhere.

pafpcg

flaneurs_lobster said:

SH88SH88 said:

Aidanmc said:

SH88SH88 said:

crazeelegs25 said:

Hi there

HSBC are ceasing use of their physical secure keys - and now require mobile app use.

I had my accounts hacked when my phone was stolen last year - so have zero trust in the security of the phone apps.

I'm therefore looking to switch banks. I'm looking for both personal and business services - and ones that don't rely on mobile app use. 

Any suggestions ?

Thanks in advance,
Mark

Try First Direct,  even though they're owned by HSBC they tend to do things differently.  I use the App for HSBC and physical secure key for FD. I haven't (yet) heard anything from either FD or HSBC regarding phasing out of physical secure keys.

I don't think you can even open a first direct current account without doing it on app

FD website says "You can open this account: By post" ... so, doesn't appear to be App only

I thought @Aidanmc's assertion couldn't be true so looked too, it may say you can apply by post but there's no obvious way of doing it. Can't find application form to download, can't even find application form to fill in online. All links seem to point to app.

I too went looking on the FD web-site and could find only the app-based application route for sole accounts, but the application process for joint accounts starts by collecting the applicant's details so that might be still an online browser process.  Odd, isn't it...

GeoffTF

I have current accounts with Nationwide and Santander. I do not use an app with either. I do not want the extra security risk.

GeoffTF

Nasqueron said:

Banks typically stop access when the system OS is no longer supported by the manufacturer, typically 5-6 years with Apple and better Android devices, one phone every 5-6 years is normal, it happens with all devices as a phone that old isn't secure and is a risk to use

I do not know of any bank that does that. Anyway, security updates just reduce the risk, they do not eliminate it.

GeoffTF

Here is a typical report for anyone who thinks that mobile banking has no risks:

"Swiped. Inside London's phone theft epidemic", File on 4 Investigates

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/m002jsqv

No computer system is completely secure, and that is particularly true of one that you carry around with you.

grumpy_codger

Rich2808 said:

clairec666 said:

Rich2808 said:

While they are keen to promote the use of the mobile app HSBC haven't phased out physical keys yet in the UK - and you can still use them and order new ones in branches etc?

Did I miss them announcing an end date?

One option of course is to have a second phone which you leave at home for banking apps - so you aren't carrying it around with you.

I have not heard anything from HSBC. I still use the physical secure key.

HSBC are continually trying to get me to use the app, every time I log on to my account, despite clicking "don't show me this message again". I understand that if I start using the app, the secure key will no longer work. As I am not interested in always having an up-to-date smartphone, I don't want to get to the point where my phone is too old to run the app and I'm forced to upgrade it or lose access to my HSBC account.

I resent HSBC's approach and I think everyone should be given choice as to how they access their account.

Is there any reason they can't do a "secure code by text message" like some other banks do?

I am sticking with my physical key - once you switch to the app login option you can't switch back! ....
...

My (elderly) friend switched to the app (I think unintentionally), then switched back as with the app he kept getting his online access blocked. IMO, their app is just unfit for many people as not only you can't see what characters you are typing, you can't check what you typed after finishing. This is a problem with many banks' apps, but they don't push you to apps as hard as HSBC.

Chief_of_Staffy

Rich2808 said:

One option of course is to have a second phone which you leave at home for banking apps - so you aren't carrying it around with you.

Kind of like a small computer, but less secure.