Warning: US-centric semi-relevant rant inbound
As a hardcore online banker: I don’t want another fucking bank. I want the actual problem that is the slow-ass ACH network (looking at you NACHA) to be solved. Online banking was as perfect as it was going to get under Simple until they sold out.
While I’m on a rant: fuck companies that sell out. Fucking tired of amazing companies kicking ass in their field selling out. That goes for Simple → BBVA, ONE Finance → Walmart, Truebill → Rocket.
Shit man. I’m a programmer and I just want to write my own bank at this point, but that won’t happen because I’m not a multimillionaire.
Seriously I asked ChatGPT how to solve this shit and it just said “use personal finance apps” but okay? They all suck. Whose dick I gotta suck for instant ACH (remember Dwolla?), multiple checking accounts and an automated “money manager?” And don’t give me “pOCkeTs.”
You’ve described a big part of why I hate startup culture. “Let’s build cool thing then sell it to a huge company and get rich.” I’m never doing it again, such a waste of time and energy.
Simple selling to BBVA was shit. Simple was never my main bank, but it was a nice, simple service. That was free. Then they moved to BBVA, which almost immediately got bought up by PNC, and then PNC started charging monthly fees. Closed my account before the first fees hit.
I still have a Varo account. Surprised that hasn’t gotten vacuumed up yet by one of the traditional banks.
I’ve looked at Varo a few times but each time I’m always like “nah” and never take the plunge.
These days I’m rocking Betterment. I’ve got two checking accounts but I didn’t realize both would be tied to the same debit card as a toggle; lame.
Maybe it’s time to give Varo a chance.
