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If your bank offers passkeys, use one as your primary sign-in method when practical: passkeys are designed to resist phishing in a way that manually entered authenticator-app codes are not. If the bank does not support passkeys, an authenticator app that generates time-based one-time passwords (TOTP) is a useful alternative to password-only or SMS-code sign-in. Neither method makes an account invulnerable; check how the bank handles recovery and keep a working fallback before changing devices.
How passkeys and authenticator-app codes differ
A passkey uses public-key cryptography through FIDO/WebAuthn. The service keeps a public key, while the corresponding private key is held by an authenticator, such as a device or a supported sync service. During sign-in, the authenticator responds to the legitimate service identity rather than handing the user a code to copy.
An authenticator app typically generates a time-based one-time password (TOTP): a short-lived code that you type into the sign-in page. TOTP is different from an SMS code in how it is generated, but both can be exposed to a phishing relay if a user enters the code on a convincing fake site.
Which method is more resistant to phishing?
Passkeys have the meaningful advantage. NIST defines phishing resistance as preventing disclosure of authentication information to an impostor verifier without depending on the user’s vigilance. It says manually entered one-time-password outputs do not meet that definition because entering the code does not bind it to the session being authenticated. [NIST SP 800-63B-4, phishing resistance]
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NIST identifies WebAuthn, used by FIDO2 authenticators, as an example of verifier-name binding: the authenticator response is tied to the authenticated service identifier. That helps block the common attack in which a fake login page collects a password and relays a freshly entered code to the real service. It does not protect against every threat. A compromised device, malware, fraudulent account recovery, or weaknesses in a provider’s implementation can still put an account at risk.
Comparison for financial-account sign-in
| Consideration | Passkey | Authenticator-app TOTP |
|---|---|---|
| Phishing resistance | Designed to resist credential phishing through verifier-name binding when correctly implemented. | Phishable: a user can enter the code on an impostor site, which may relay it. |
| Sign-in | Usually avoids manually copying a one-time code; exact prompts depend on the bank and device. | Requires opening the app and typing the current code. |
| Device changes | Some syncable implementations can support cross-device use and simplified recovery; behavior depends on implementation and platform. | Plan to enroll the new device and remove or invalidate the old authenticator, unless the app’s supported backup or sync method covers the secret. |
| Bank support | Must be offered by the specific institution for the relevant account and region. | Must be accepted by the specific institution; app-code support is not universal. |
| Fallback and recovery | Still depends on the bank’s recovery process and any permitted fallback sign-in methods. | Still depends on the bank’s recovery process and how the authenticator secret is backed up or replaced. |
When to choose each option
Choose a passkey when your bank supports it
For protection against credential phishing, a correctly implemented passkey is generally the stronger choice. NIST says correctly implemented syncable authenticators can provide phishing-resistant authentication along with cross-device support and simplified recovery; those are potential benefits, not guarantees for every platform or service. [NIST syncable-authenticator supplement]
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Use an authenticator app when passkeys are unavailable
TOTP is a reasonable stronger choice than relying only on a password or SMS code when a financial institution accepts it. Treat each code like a temporary secret: enter it only on the bank’s genuine sign-in page, reached through a trusted route, and never share it with someone claiming to be support.
Consider a hardware security key only after checking support
A FIDO2 security key can be an optional external authenticator for readers who want one, but it is useful for a bank account only if the institution supports FIDO/WebAuthn security keys. Check the bank’s current security settings before buying a key. [NIST SP 800-63B-4]
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Plan recovery before changing your sign-in method
Recovery is part of account security. A strong sign-in method cannot compensate for a weak support or account-recovery procedure; FIDO Alliance’s 2025 guidance includes recovery methods in its assessment of the passkey journey. [FIDO Alliance passkey guidance]
- Review the bank’s recovery instructions and confirm your contact details are current.
- Before replacing a phone, find out how to enroll a passkey or authenticator on the new device and what the bank requires if the old device is unavailable.
- For an authenticator app, do not assume backup, export, or sync works the same way across apps. NIST advises binding the app on a replacement device and invalidating the old app, or using an eligible sync fabric where appropriate. [NIST SP 800-63B-4]
- Keep any bank-issued backup codes or other recovery options in a secure place, and understand which fallback methods remain enabled.
Compatibility varies by institution, region, account type, and current implementation. Check the bank’s own security settings and recovery guidance rather than assuming it accepts passkeys, TOTP apps, or hardware keys.
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Secure passwords that remain in use
Some financial services still require passwords, including as a fallback. Use a password manager for those accounts and protect the manager itself with MFA. NIST recommends both practices. [NIST SP 800-63B-4] Review the bank’s permitted fallback methods as well as its primary sign-in option, because account security depends on the methods available across the whole login and recovery journey.
What PCI DSS guidance does—and does not—say
PCI Security Standards Council FAQs published in May 2025 say that synced passkeys implemented according to FIDO2 requirements may be used as a single authentication factor for PCI DSS Requirement 8.4.2. A separate FAQ says phishing-resistant authentication alone does not satisfy Requirements 8.4.1 or 8.4.3, which require an additional factor. These interpretations concern specific PCI DSS requirements; they are not a universal rule that a consumer bank passkey always replaces MFA. [PCI SSC FAQ]
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