Are there any banks with a command-line style user interface?
There are API libraries available to various banks in various programming languages. For example, in Perl there are many libraries in the Finance::Bank:: namespace. Some of these use screen-scraping libraries and talk to the GUI underneath, so they are vulnerable to any changes the bank makes to their interface, but some of the better banks do seem to provide back-end interfaces, which can then be used directly. In either case, you should still be sure that the transactions are secure. Some bank sites have appallingly bad security. :( A good place to start is to call your bank and ask if they offer any programming APIs for accessing their back end. At one point you could log into your HSBC account from the command line, but gosh, I've never heard of a bank that has a command line interface! Some banks would allow you to export your transactions as CSV (they call it Excel export, but in many cases it's actually just CSV). However, I would not expect any bank to bother with creating anything like command-line access - return on such investment would be too low.  There are other ways to get information out of the banks, I'm sure - providers like Yodelee must be using something to fetch financial data - but those usually not for general public access.  Also, you can use something like mint.com to aggregate you banking data if you bank doesn't do good export and then export it from there. They have CSV export too.  If you need to do any actions though, I don't think there's anything like you are looking for. A bank is unlikely to provide a 'command line' interface because typical users consider a graphical interface easier to use than a command line interface. The extra effort in providing a command line interface for the remaining handful of people isn't worth it. It's the same reason that everything else in the world has a point and click interface. Command line-like features, such as easy repetition and keystroke shortcuts are also unlikely to implemented for the same reasons. They are hard to implement in a web interface, and most people aren't interested in them. Most people have only a few accounts and don't need to download multiple files on a frequent basis. They do typically provide link shortcuts to commonly used features. However all online banking works by implementing the HTTP protocol in some way. You should be able to deduce the HTTP transactions necessary to get the information you want, and implement your own 'command-line'style' interface, or any other interface you want. That won't be easy, especially since you will almost certainly have to implement the security protocols too, but it should be possible. I think I get your question, but your wording is throwing a lot of us off. If what you want is a clean, effective and efficient interface over port 80, then USAA.com has done some great usability work. Additionally, they have really done some pioneering work with web services and mobile applications. On top of that, they have excellent document archiving. I can navigate their site more quickly than any of the other I've used. You should definitively check boobank. It's not a bank !, but a framework that helps people to create quick interface modules to any bank so you don't have to use your web browser anymore with them. Actually, there is already an honest list of modules to access a few banks (I guess these banks are all french banks for now), but contributing a module seems easy and reading other contributed modules should constitute a good start. So boobank can work with any bank provided the interface with the bank is written. You could keep an eye on BankSimple perhaps? I think it looks interesting at least... too bad I don't live in the US... They are planning to create an API where you can do everything you can do normally. So when that is released you could probably create your own command-line interface :)
&gt; accessing all atms fee free, having services available 24/7, having robust, safe and audited online services, and having a big enough bank that all major third party tools interface with it.   You just described my single state credit union I've been with for 19 years now, and not the big bank I was with before (Wells Fargo). "Creating a better interface is simply not difficult.  For users of Windows on desktop machines, it really wouldn't be that difficult to ditch some of the screen-saving efforts that are deliberately aimed at tiny handheld devices--or at least provide options to do so.  Desktop monitors are now larger/cheaper than ever--why pander to a small-screen environment when the result forces users to learn a new interface that frankly doesn't even benefit them?  I agree Microsoft needs to address the handheld/tablet niche, but they don't need to force everyone into their daffy interface when they don't benefit from it.  Plus, as recw has said, the interface is split, with several sets of data files (like IE bookmarks).  Same with the skype interface, same with the tiled interface for email which may or may not include your local/cloud installation of Outlook, plus ""Email"", plus online access for email.  It confuses the hell out of the Boomers I work with, and that confusion is not necessarily the Boomers' fault--the interface was changed for the sake of change and they cannot realize any benefit from it on their laptops/desktops.  Some versions of Windows 8 come on hardware that doesn't even have touch-screens!  Stupid." "Everyone has items that they consistently purchase.  I don't really need to see a picture of JIF Peanut Butter in order to buy it. Also if all you do is make a list at your computer and then put it aside until you're ready to purchase, it can now be down w/ voice commands.  Google has never hidden their desire to build Star Trek's ""Computer"" so all of this seems in-line w/ that." Online buying is a most top-rated preference in these days. Most of the humans are shopping for more than one products thru on-line option.  It lets you live in contemporary life-style and get unique deals for purchasing items. If you are searching for fine on-line purchasing, then test their rankings.  Huge numbers of humans are inquisitive about latest mobile phones, so a number of portals also expanded now.  Sellers are listing gadgets within the not unusual net portal.  You need to view in the event that they supply right product on the specified time to the purchaser. Find the reviews of supplier which provide a few concept to choose ideal supplier for on-line buying. Yes. The most complicated software most bankers use is Excel. From my limited perspective, success in banking is a function of who you know and how big you can convince everyone else your dick is. Breaking in is the hardest part, but once you're there you won't get kicked out for not being smart enough if you play the game.  You should know accounting really well, also. Gnucash uses aqbanking, so I'd suggest looking at aqbanking to see if it will do what you want. It seems to be actively developed (as of 26.2.2011), but the main page is in German and my German is a bit rusty... You might also try asking on the gnucash-users list. http://www.mint.com attaches to all your accounts and lists all your transactions.  I love it. Buxfer is a personal-finance web app which you might like.  It's not open-source.  But at least none of your complaints about financeworks.intuit.com apply to Buxfer. Buxfer offers a piece of software you can download to your own PC, called Firebux.  This macro-recording software provides automation that helps you download statements and upload them to Buxfer.  So you never have to give Buxfer any of your bank or brokerage usernames or passwords. Buxfer and Firebux are both free of charge. Wesabe, another personal-finance web app, also used to offer data-uploader software, but Wesabe has now gone out of business.