Eric Dunn's recent letter to customers

denmarfl · July 22

I received Mr Dunn's most recent email letter today….and I quote " we are continuing our work to improve banking and brokerage downloads. As we migrate more of our connections to Express Web Connect+ (using the OAuth standard), we have seen our download success metrics improve."

This makes me wonder, "download success Metrics Improve"

I doubt many long time Quicken users such as myself (30+ yrs)…would agree with this. I realize the banks are pushing EWC+…for sure one factor is, I am sure the Quicken Fees are Less for banks to pay than it was with DirectConnect. Is the download metrics improved, from a users standpoint I would disagree. I have had to use EWC+ going on 2 years from my bank and its downtime…sometimes several days….has out paced DirectConnect when I was using it prior to EWC+. The Connection time (OSU) which could have included Uploading Transitions as well as Downloading Transitions…with DirectConnect was a fraction of the time EWC+ takes to complete a OSU and its only a Download.

A major benefit of Quicken\DirectConnect used to be all entry work was entered in Quicken, Transfers, Bill Pays…but today using EWC+ and many times holding my breath because it takes longer at Connection to my bank…that it will not fail….users Must do entry work at the banks website and Also in Quicken…duplicate entry work.

So to Mr. Dunn in all due respect, EWC+ has not from my working standpoint improved\Enhanced "download success Metrics Improve". Yes, maybe more secure Connection, with that I would write, using DirectConnect from 2001 until 2023I never recall hearing of any Security beaches or issues.

I was hoping that at some point another connection method would be developed that would add the security of EWC+ (even if EWC+ is more secure than DD) and the Uploading\Downloading of DirectConnect but reading Mr. Dunns' Letter since EWC+ was introduced…he addresses EWC+ as a success..and in his future Plans for Quicken has never mentioned a new Up\Down Connection under development…so my hopes are pretty much gone.

mshiggins · July 23

I guess Eric has not seen the recent wave of EWC+ issues due to the Merrill Lynch switch to EWC+.

Quicken Jasmine · July 23

Hello @denmarfl,

Thank you for taking the time to share your perspective.

The move to Express Web Connect+ reflects changes in how financial institutions are approaching connectivity, including industry-wide adoption of updated security protocols and data standards. As part of this shift, Direct Connect is being phased out by a number of institutions in favor of newer frameworks that align with evolving infrastructure and compliance needs.

While internal metrics help guide development, feedback from all areas continues to be reviewed as we evaluate ongoing adjustments and future improvements. We appreciate your long-standing use of Quicken and the insights you’ve provided here.

We appreciate you!

mjonis · July 23

I completely agree with the OP.

EWC+ has been a train wreck especially since May where you can see the multitude of complaints/issues with transactions simply not downloading even though OSU says it did something. Not sure what metrics they're using but it's obviously not accurate.

Unfortunately there's no contact info to be able to let Mr. Dunn know what reality is and he obviously doesn't stop by this community to see all the issues.

I know in the past, when I have bothered to contact Quicken Tech support, they have been clueless to the issues (i have to constantly refer them to the community before they finally realize it's not "just me"). But wasting an hour or two on the phone isn't worth it for me anymore since the issues haven't been fixed in over a year.

I will not be renewing my Quicken subscription next go around however. Not worth the cost when I have to constantly deactivate/reactivate and manually clean up transactions to get them to download. I may as well just enter everything manually or manually download the file from the FI.

retird · July 23

@Quicken Jasmine so is Quicken going to migrate totally to EWC+ or will EWC stay around and be viable so FI's can continue to use EWC? THX

denmarfl · July 23

LIKE…EWC+ is like a Train Wreck. My biggest disappointment is that Quicken developed the Software to be a Upload\Download… This allowed users that banked with DirectConnect…to enter Transfers and Bill Pays in Quicken…this was the absolute major reason I purchased and supported Quicken since 2001 when my Bank switched from a bank Based Modem connected software..to Quicken DirectConnect. I cannot be convinced in the era of AI…that Quicken, perhaps working with banks…cannot come up with a better, more reliable Connection that would bring back Uploads and downloads during a OSU so we can enter Transfers and Bill Pays in Quicken and send to bank….and only need to enter the Transfers and Bill Pays ONE TIME. To write EWC+ "download success Metrics Improve" is coming from someone that is not a daily user of Quicken that enters Transfers and Bill Pay under the One-Way, unreliable Connection…EWC+. Stop updating Quicken with all the UnUseful options that over the years has slowed down the software that I would wager most users do not use, put that effort into developing a similar DD that allowed what we had in DD, a reliable FAST connection…only needing to enter Transfers and Bill Pay ONCE…and meets or exceeds current security Protocools….it can be done if the desire is there to do so…..

Jim_Harman · July 23

I also miss the ability to access bank bill pay via Direct Connect.

But when my bank stopped offering DC and converted to EWC+, I switched all my regularly scheduled bills to use the billers' "Auto pay" option, so that the biller takes the payment directly from my checking or credit card account a few days before the due date. I have found this to be at least as reliable as DC was. Also Quicken and I are now out of the approval loop, so if I am travelling or unable to use Quicken for an extended period, the regular bills still get paid.

To make sure there are no improper charges or missed payments, I still download and review the transactions after every banking day and I have Reminders set up for all the regular bills. As soon as I know what a bill's amount will be, I enter the Reminder and it gets matched to the downloaded transaction when the bill is paid.

The only bills I need to pay on the bank's website are for very small billers like the lawn guy, and unscheduled ones like copays for doctor visits, 2-3 per month total.

The process is different, but for me it works almost as well as the bank bill pay via DC.

NotACPA · July 23

I agree entirely with @Jim_Harman.

I've never used BillPay from within Q, rather using the vendor's payment system (which makes them responsible for the payment, as long as there's money in the account) or a web-initiated payment from my FI for those odd payments.

denmarfl · July 23

Understand different opinions on Bill Pay…but I have taken the position that the fewer places my personal Checking account information is stored, ie, at a Billers site for AutoPay…, the more secure I am against a site being breached and my Checking acct information stolen; Name, address, Bank's Name, checking acct and routing number….etc. All Biller love AutoPay…they get to have control over Payments. I understand the convenience of AutoPay…you'll never pay late or miss a payment as long as the debuting acct has sufficient funds. AutoPay Billers will tell you how safe and secure their system is and I bet AT&T, Duke Energy, Target..and there is a long list of Companies that have reported breaches that I am sure told their customers that their systems were safe and secure….. With DirectConnect, my personal info was only stored at the Bank….the Payees had on other personal Information on their sites other than the Bill\Card Number…no personal Bank\acct info.

Quicken Jasmine · July 23

https://community.quicken.com/discussion/comment/20500082#Comment_20500082

Great question! I want to clarify that this isn’t a decision made by Quicken. The transition from Express Web Connect to Express Web Connect Plus is initiated by the financial institutions themselves, based on their own evolving security standards and data infrastructure.

Quicken continues to support both Express Web Connect and Express Web Connect Plus where available. However, when a bank or brokerage firm chooses to migrate to Express Web Connect Plus, we are required to follow their lead — Quicken doesn’t control that switch.

So yes, Express Web Connect can remain viable, but only if a financial institution chooses to continue supporting it.

Hope that helps explain the situation a bit more clearly!

Eric Dunn's recent letter to customers

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