New and Improved Way to Connect to Your Financial Institution (OAuth API)
Quick Review
What is OAuth API? A modern, secure connection method where you authorize Quicken Simplifi directly through your bank's own login page, rather than entering credentials into Simplifi.
Why the change? Enhanced security, better reliability, and compliance with banking regulations that require direct authorization.
How to identify: Look for the lightning bolt ⚡ icon next to accounts that need migration, or bank-hosted login screens when connecting.
What changes: More secure connection, but some banks may have limitations (like no pending transactions).
Overview
You may have received an email or in-product message regarding a new and improved way to connect to your bank, or noticed a lightning bolt next to your accounts. This is due to an upgraded connection method called an OAuth API.
Ashley first encountered this when their credit union upgraded to OAuth. Initially nervous about the change, they found the new connection actually felt more secure since they were entering credentials directly on their bank's familiar login page.
How OAuth Connections Work
Traditional Connection (Old Way)
Enter bank credentials into Simplifi
Simplifi stores encrypted credentials
Simplifi logs into your bank nightly
Downloads transactions and balances
OAuth API Connection (New Way)
Click connect in Simplifi
Redirected to your bank's actual website
Log in directly with your bank
Authorize Simplifi to access specific accounts
Bank sends data directly to Simplifi
Security Benefits:
Credentials never touch Simplifi servers
Bank controls access permissions
Can revoke access anytime from bank's website
Uses bank's own security (2FA, etc.)
Ashley's OAuth Migration Experience
The Lightning Bolt Appears ⚡
One morning, Ashley noticed lightning bolts next to their credit union accounts. The migration prompt explained they needed to reauthorize using the new OAuth method.
Migration Process
Clicked the lightning bolt notification
Redirected to credit union's login page
Entered username/password on familiar bank site
Saw list of all accounts (checking, savings, old car loan)
Important: Selected ALL accounts, even the closed loan
Authorized Simplifi access
Back in Simplifi, unchecked the closed loan
Completed migration in under 3 minutes
Ashley's tip: "Even if you don't want certain accounts in Simplifi, check ALL boxes during bank authorization. You can exclude unwanted accounts on the next screen in Simplifi. I almost messed this up!"
What OAuth Looks Like
Bank-Hosted Login Screens
Instead of Simplifi's standard login box, you'll see:
Your bank's actual website in a popup
Familiar bank branding and security features
Same login process as online banking
Bank's own 2FA if enabled
Authorization Screens
After login, banks typically show:
List of accounts to share
Data access permissions
How long access lasts
Option to include future accounts
Account Selection in Simplifi
After bank authorization:
See all authorized accounts
Checkbox to add/ignore each
Can rename accounts
Set account types
Bank-Specific Considerations
🏦 Fidelity
Limitations:
Balances delayed 24-48 hours
No pending transactions
Crypto accounts unsupported
Uses CUSIP instead of ticker symbols sometimes
Ashley's workaround: "I check Fidelity's site for real-time balances, but let Simplifi track the trends."
💳 American Express
Known issue: Blank screen during authorization
Solution: Disable popup blockers temporarily
🏛️ USAA
Limitations:
No pending transactions
Insurance accounts unsupported
Dormant accounts won't appear
Fix for dormant accounts: Make a small transaction to activate
🏦 Chase
Important: Only primary account holders can connect (no authorized users)
Ashley's experience: "My partner couldn't add our joint Chase account from their Simplifi. I had to add it from mine, then share via Space Sharing."
💰 Capital One
Limitation: No pending transactions download
🏦 Charles Schwab
Requirements:
Must be account owner (not view-only)
May need to enable third-party access on Schwab's site
Credit cards use American Express connection
Supported: Brokerage, IRA, 401(k), Loans Not supported: Employee stock options, RSUs
Troubleshooting OAuth Issues
"Blank screen during authorization"
Disable popup blockers
Allow popups from your bank
Try different browser
Clear cache/cookies
"Accounts missing after authorization"
Ensure you selected ALL accounts at bank
Check for dormant accounts (no activity 2+ years)
Verify you're primary account holder
Enable third-party access at bank if required
"Connection keeps failing"
Re-authorize during off-peak hours
Check bank's website for maintenance
Verify credentials work on bank site
Contact bank about third-party access
Security & Privacy with OAuth
What's Better
No stored passwords: Bank handles authentication
Granular control: Banks can limit what data is shared
Easy revocation: Disable access from bank's security settings
Bank's security: Uses your bank's 2FA/security questions
What's the Same
Read-only access: Still can't move money
Encrypted data: All financial data encrypted
Nightly updates: Same refresh schedule
Data storage: Transaction history still in Simplifi
Best Practices
Check all boxes during bank auth: Uncheck unwanted accounts in Simplifi after
Screenshot authorization screens: Helpful for troubleshooting
Note limitations: Some banks don't send pending transactions via OAuth
Update bank security settings: Enable third-party access if required
Be patient with migrations: Do one bank at a time
Keep bank app handy: For real-time balance checks if needed
Living with OAuth Limitations
Ashley adapted to OAuth limitations:
For Missing Pending Transactions
Checks bank app for pending charges
Waits extra day for transactions to clear
Uses credit cards that still show pending
For Delayed Balances
Relies on Simplifi for trends, not real-time
Checks bank directly before major purchases
Focuses on weekly/monthly patterns
For Investment Delays
Views Simplifi as "portfolio tracker" not "day trader tool"
Checks brokerage for real-time quotes
Values the automatic tracking over perfect timing
The Bottom Line
OAuth API connections represent the future of banking integrations. While Ashley initially resisted the change, they now appreciate the enhanced security and control. Yes, some banks have limitations, but the tradeoff for better security is worth it.
"The first migration felt scary, but it's actually more like logging into your bank normally. Now when I see that bank login screen, I know my credentials are going straight to my bank, not through a middleman. That peace of mind outweighs minor inconveniences like missing pending transactions."
Hint: Before migrating to OAuth, check your bank's specific limitations in the tips section above. Ashley wishes they'd known about their credit union's 48-hour balance delay before panicking that first day when balances seemed off. Setting proper expectations makes the transition smoother. Also, this is a good time to clean up old or unused accounts at your bank!
Check out our Quicken Simplifi Community to see if the error you are encountering has been reported and is being worked on.
If you need any assistance connecting your accounts in Quicken Simplifi, our Support Team will be happy to help!