Banking without a mobile, possible?

MEM62

I want to put my money to work, better.

So you have money to save / invest…..

It's seem to me that, if you are a pensioner and can't afford a  finance the running cost of a mobile phone

But you cannot afford a mobile phone.

Surely those two statements seem to contradict each other.

Whilst there are currently alternatives available, most financial institutions will require you to have a mobile phone. That is the world we live in, it moves on, and you can debate whether that is fair / right / practical at length but it is what it is.

Barkin

My 84 year old mother seems to manage just fine without involving a mobile phone in her banking arrangements.

She does have a smartphone, but there are no banking apps on it.

GeoffTF

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/82178322#Comment_82178322

So do millions of others including me. If you can receive SMS messages you are sorted with the main stream banks. The FCA does not allow them to require all their customers to use smartphones.

ZeroSum

Neither of my parents do online banking

And they have accounts with nat west, Halifax & Virgin. Along with a number of ISAs in building societies

ZeroSum

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/82176652#Comment_82176652

However they dont like to tell you about that option

clairec666

A lot of banks and building societies require you to receive an SMS to log in. This doesn't mean you need the latest expensive smartphone, a cheap phone on a pay as you go SIM will be fine. It might even be possible to get the SMS sent to a landline?

There are app only banks but you can avoid these and go elsewhere.

Someone mentioned First Direct, but from my experience I needed the app to open a current account, there was no other way. Once the account is open though, you can ditch the app.

GeoffTF

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/82179049#Comment_82179049

How to open a bank account with first direct

You can open a first direct account in our App or by giving us a call.

https://www.firstdirect.com/banking/what-do-you-need-to-open-a-bank-account/

If you do not want to use the app, you can give them a call. Did you try that?

Chief_of_Staffy

In the 30 years I've owned a mobile I've never had more than sporadic indoor reception. SMS only works with WiFi calling and thus requires an up-to-date smartphone. Before WiFi calling I would need to walk round the house waving the phone in the air and sometimes go outside, cross the road and wait under some bushes for the code, which sometimes never turned up at all. The wonders of modern technology, making things easier.

wmb194

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/82179204#Comment_82179204

For me indoor coverage is better than ever as a few years ago Vodafone put up a new mast nearby.

EarthBoy

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/82179204#Comment_82179204

You should try a different network.