It's already reality in my country, where you cannot access online banking for any banks except via their mobile applications, which (of course) refuse to work on anything rooted or running non-stock firmware.

So, I guess it’s a country-dependent jump to conclusions?

I have had a lot of banks and credit cards, mobile payment apps like Venmo/PayPal in the US and they almost all work on mobile web and desktops.

But I recognize that wealthy western countries didn’t really skip the personal computer like many mobile-first regions have done.

It is a massive observation of how things look already no more, no less.

Let me clarify my statement: one government agency’s election to use an app for a single purpose isn’t an indicator of much.

It’s not like the UK sent out a mandate to private banks or any other private industry on this issue. It’s also only one small country of hundreds.

I’d have to question this idea that this is how things “already look.” I can think of very few businesses that I interact with that force me to use an app.

This type of election to use an app by a government agency sets the tone, and more importantly tends to redefine "best practices." Would you want to be the one private entity known to not be using best practices? Would your risk officers or lawyers be OK with that decision?

Since when does government set trends in private industry?

I’d like to know what private businesses are copying the kind of workflows and customer experience you get at the USPS or DMV.

You should make a mat for that.