Online Banking Check Deposit Standard Not Useable by Mac Computers

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Level 1

4 points

Online Banking Check Deposit Standard Not Useable by Mac Computers

I dropped my checking, savings, and business banking accounts with CapitolOne after they removed the ability to deposit checks from a desktop. This was an absolute wonder to use - I could snap images of multiple checks at once with my Canon rebel during one of regular photo shoots, transfer the images to my Mac, key code duplicate the files, crop them in PS, and deposit. Doing that literally took only seconds and is lightyears ahead of any mobile solution.

CapitolOne has moved to a mobile app which is not an option and a 1,000 times slower even if it was an option. In the time it takes for a phone to warmup and enter passwords for the phone and the Os I could already de done on my desktop with a fiber optic connection.

So far all other banks I've looked at that offer check deposits from the desktop use variations on the same remote capture system. Thats a problem because this uses 32-bit javascript to interact with a TWAIN browser on your Mac. This can't be used on a Mac as you need at least a old Mac, an old install of Java, and then an old 32-bit browser.

So why hasn't Apple made banks more aware that their services are not even useable by Macintosh users? I thought Macs were suppose to be user friendly! No longer with banking. How about Apple providing the banks with a product to take care of this - even giving a solution away would rive Mac desktop sales as opposed to creating a lot of ticked off consumers who find they can't use their new Mac with their banking services.

The banks are clueless!

MacBook Pro, macOS Sierra (10.12.5)

Posted on Dec 27, 2017 6:55 AM

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Answer 1

Allan Jones

Level 10

81,488 points

Dec 27, 2017 8:10 AM in response to eyepieced

If you've not yet figured it out from the other responses, Apple are not here, only other end users like you. To get suggestions, concerns, etc., to someone who get a paycheck from Apple please use links on this Apple support page:

Product Feedback - Apple

As online banking often has to go through a browser you could use the Safari feedback link under the section labeled 'macOS Apps." For mobile suggestions the iPhone feedback section is probably best.

It has been my experience that many banks are comfortable being on the rusty trailing edge of technology. It took years for banks to realize customers actually used Macs. Most people who complain here about their banks' total lack of Mac knowledge found that going around the corner to another bank fixes that.

And has something changed with imaging checks for deposit? My daughter has used an iPhone for year and does such deposits and I've never seen her have to wait for the phone or anything else to warm up. She whips out her phone and she's done in seconds. I'll see her later today and find out if she has encountered slow performance with recent developments.

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Answer 2

eyepieced Author

Level 1

4 points

Dec 27, 2017 10:25 AM in response to Allan Jones

Thanks for the reply, but I don't think Apple is going to revert Safari back to a 32-bit version so it can use a 32-bit version of javascript. This would another area for Apple to get rid of a competing product by offering banks a alternative platform that will work in modern browsers and without java on Apple, Windows, and Linux. Right now its Oracle & Windows owning this market.

Unfortunately this same remote capture system has been adopted by all the the banks that offer Desktop deposits - they simply place a different dressing on it. They all require a 32-bit browser, 32-bit java install, & a TWAIN scanner. Besides this being not compatible with modern Macs its slow as a snail. Noting compares to taking shots of multiple checks at once with a Canon rebel.

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Answer 3

eyepieced Author

Level 1

4 points

Jan 3, 2018 9:56 PM in response to Klaus1

It appears pretty much every bank that still offers deposits from a desktop has switched over to the same remote deposit capture system. Each bank just puts a different skin on the system that best fits their site's eye candy. They all require a 32-bit browser, 32-bit java; and a TWAIN scanner which will be controlled by their online process.

Not only banks - even State Farm, the insurance giant's system is like this.

This means no one with a Mac can deposit checks using this system. Apple needs to inform banks of their error and give them an alternative. I would think Apple would want to drive another stake into Oracle.

I finally found a solution by setting up a password protected WiFi network on my Mac following the instructions at the URL below. I then was able to connect a lowly ZTE Majesty Pro Android phone, download DiscoverBank's app and deposit a check.

Waiting for the app to take pictures of the back and front of the check while giving me instructions to move closer and to hold steady as compared to using my Canon Rebel with multiple focus points is like driving on the interstate and then getting on a off ramp - SLOW MOTION TIME WARP.

How to Share Your Mac's Internet Connection Using OS X

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Answer 4

eyepieced Author

Level 1

4 points

Dec 27, 2017 9:56 AM in response to Allan Jones

Unfortunately this has nothing to do with mobile devices as this refers to the lack of support of banking on Macintosh desktops. Some banks, such as CapitolOne, had previously offered the ability to upload checks to their site for deposit that was not dependent on java. Now they've moved to a industry standard remote capture method for desktops which uses a outdated 32-bit version of javascript, a old 32-bit browser, and a old Mac to control a TWAIN scanner connected to your Mac. Having those things is no guarantee it would work since you my find that the javascript might work but the browser using might not be able to access the site properly in the first place.

I have no use for iPhone or other mobile device. Having large hands I can only use with a stylus pen. they are slow to use compared to a desktop connected to high speed fiber optic cable only 1,500 feet form the telephone company relay. Assuming I would use a phone it would require me to drive 12 miles away in one direction just to get a bare minimum signal (1.5 of 4 bars) and then I would need to shoot images outside and hope its not -40, raining, or the wind is blowing. I'd also have to shoot images with a lackluster phone camera and I'd have to take individual images of the back and front of each check.

On the other hand with my previous setup I could place multiple checks next to each and take one photo of all the fronts at once then flip them over and take one more shot. I then use key codes to duplicate the images and then crop and save images for each check. Since I've used PS for years this is done in seconds for multiple checks.

Apple has obviously worked with credit card companies and other financial institutions for things such as Apple Pay but have neglected addressing Desktops. Here is a market dominated by javascript and outdated browsers and intended for Windows yet Apple does nothing. Not a very good sales pitch - buy a Mac and forget about using it with one of the most important aspects of online banking - depositing checks.

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