Something New

[Optimistic Paranoid]

Wells Fargo has become the first bank to permit card free withdrawals from their atm machines using a smart phone app.

https://www.washingtonpost.com/news...ss-at-all-of-its-atms/?utm_term=.6238046f2152

 

[AbuelaLoca]

I really do like the idea, although I don't bank at a "National" bank and probably never will. However, my cheap go phone cannot handle more than a few apps, so I feel like I would have to buy an expensive smart phone to utilize this sort of service...

 

[BradKW]

I'm not sure I see the convenience here...it requires about 4x the effort of simply inserting my card and entering PIN number. They claim it could be more secure, but I don't really see that either:

Here’s how it works: Customers must download and log into the Wells Fargo app on their smartphones and request an eight-digit code, which they can type into an ATM instead of inserting a debit card. Next, they enter their PIN, just as they would if they were using their cards.

Plus, consumers using the app have to prove their identity on their smartphones — either by providing their thumb print or by typing in their online banking password — in addition to entering their PIN numbers. (With your physical debit card, you only need to provide the PIN code.)

 

[AbuelaLoca]

It's only convenient if you leave your wallet at home LOL

 

[CautionToTheWind]

[snip] so I feel like I would have to buy an expensive smart phone to utilize this sort of service...

I went smartphone in December 2015. I dug my heels in with the small screens. I happen upon a great "phablet" (phone/tablet)...yes there is such a thing. In fact at the time many people thought I had a iPhone 6.

Long story short, $38 a month unlimited everything; T-mobile/Walmart. Funny thing is I don't generally visit Walmarts locally. Been very happy with it and hitting the road I will keep t-mobile. Plus a secondary provider (Verizon?)...