Hello guys,
I'm currently traveling in Asia and the KOBIL card reader from UBS has stopped working, even after I replaced batteries. As far as I know, the bank delivers the card readers only in Switzerland, so I was wondering if you know if I can buy a similar device that does the job from somewhere else. It seems that most other bank don't use something like that.

Quite a few banks, in CH and other countries, use, or have used, similar machines, but I think that each type is unique to the issuing bank. Certainly the ones I've had from Postfinance, UBS and UK banks (in the past) have not been interchangeable, and I've assumed that basic security would require them not to be.

So no, you won't be able to buy one elsewhere, but why don't you contact your bank and ask what measures they could use to help you out?

I may be wrong, but I think there is a UBS App for banking too. I think it may have a different logging in system. I don't know for certain, but worth checking.

you still need the kobil for some operations (like adding a beneficiary)

can you find a UBS bank where you are?

If your phone has NFC, it's possible to read the card but I think you still need the card reader for some operations.

I could send one to you.

the app is a god send. But unfortunately you still need the card reader for some transfers. Which sucks, because it seems like I spend more on cr2025 batteries than bank fees :P

There is an App, however payments to new parties, or new payments on Red Slips require an initial validation through the shitty little kakaloader card reader first.

You'd think that they would be able to perform the same function through the app, but you can't lock cards, lose kakaloaders through an App and thereby bring in revenue through maintaining Jurassic-Plastic. I just this week locked my card out and had to order a new one.

So, when traveling, just in case, one still has to schlepp a piece of banking detritus around.