[JimmaDaRustla]

I hear ya!

I work for a big bank, and I tried pushing the idea around a bit, but to no avail.

It really comes down to "business need" - the department responsible for the online services would need to be convinced that there is a desire and a benefit to providing an API key. I imagine they would see it negative for two ways - added risk by having sites/programs connect to their application, and they won't see the added benefit to customers, and vice-versa - customers wouldn't really know what to do with the key.

It would take a player like Mint to make that case - they could do branding with a major bank such that they are the first to safely share data, but then recommend products, etc.