Using your own US Phone number?

@Stoic Voyager
You are correct, a few years ago my bank and other financial services would not send the code to my VOIP number or to the common email services such as Gmail. They would send it to my work email. When I retired I gave them the option of sending it to my VOIP, my personal email, or I would move my accounts. I don't think my thread carried any weight but I think there were many others telling them the same thing so loan behold, now they will send codes to VOIP and the common personal email services.
Just imagine trying to do this 20 years ago. How did the early expats access their money, communicate with back home, etc. Technology has made the expat option so much easier... till someone steals your identity.

Stay safe everyone - @AlbertaDonuts

So far my google voice has always received 2FA texts but magicjack does not always work. I have been concerned about google voice, ie if it will stop working for any reason. That certainly can happen. Although google voice is voip, for some reason my institutions have sent text 2FA codes and they always have worked, so far. Recently in the USA I purchased and set up a Google Fi eSIM. With the oogke fi plan I have, (lowest cost), I can receive international calls and texts here for free but calls out cost 20 cents/min. I registered my google fi cell number with my banks for 2FA and it works perfectly. Google Fi allows international calls and texts permanently but data will slow down after 90 days...I don't care much about google fi data  as I have cheaper data with my postpaid globe (dual sim). So far, the most reliable 2FA solution for the Phils would have to be google fi. You will pay $24 per month but it is worth it. Also, for the few times I call the USA, it is nice and much more reliable to use a cell phone number on a sim card than voip which can have flakey performance based on internet conditions. So, imo google fi is the best plan for 2FA in the phils,  the cheapest is $24 per month and it can be installed as an eSIM which makes it nice for data for travel. BUT the one thing is, it MUST be installed on your phone while inside the USA. But if you can do that, in my opinion google fi is the best solution and frees up your concerns about voip etc..

I use v.o.i.p for my stateside number here in the Philippines. I was never able to receive texts. But lately my Philippine phone has not been able to receive sms from Wise, so I have to use their voice option. I have not been able to figure out the problem.

Essentially, using a phone number to text or speak a code is the weakest form of 2FA available. Sites that take 2FA seriously use autheticators and passkeys. Banks are probably not that concerned about security when you log into online banking, the banks are really trying to make it difficult for people who live outside the country. They will let you bank with them if you give a US Address but increasingly make it difficult to log in. So far, Google Fi gives me a real cell number so that should work for a while, maybe a long while,  but we will need to see which banks are expat friendly and which are not. We are forced to be flexible, it us not an.option. If they make access to our accounts ti difficult we will have to drop them. I suspect thete will always be institutions that provide easier access from the Phils than others. I used to think WISE was a good alternative but not so sure anymore. I so find that Capital One is a bit more advanced on workable 2FA procedures rhat most banks; they seem ti allow fingerprint as an actual passkey.

@AlbertaDonuts

It depends on your bank and is something you should definitely check before leaving the states.  The thing is though,  they change their rules sometimes.  It wasn't long ago most banks would give you a choice between a phone text or email but most have eliminated the email option now.  The only safe way is to have an actual USA phone number (non VOIP).  The way to do it is to get the cheapest plan you can find (on a separate phone), which is usually around $10 a month or so.  Then when overseas put the phone on airplane mode but with wifi calling enabled.  That gives you an actual USA number that works with all banks plus it's free calls and texts (back and forth) to the USA for around $10 a month.  Have to have a wifi connection to use it though.

@Stoic Voyager

I was not aware of the airplane mode, wifi calling hack you mention.  So far my VOIP number is working and a fraction of the price for Google fi.  I think I pay about $25 a year.  My financial institutions have loosened the rules and mostly will send 2FA to the VOIP number now or with a data code directly to my device, similar to an authenticator.

People travel and often without access to home phone sim so banks will need to adjust or loose customers.... not just expats but all the people out there traveling, especially retirees who can travel for longer periods of time.

Happy banking and travel everyone

@chughes6302

I use the carrier US Mobile.  They have international service.  I'm paying $25/month to use my US phone number in the Philippines.  I use it for Wifi calling but mostly to do two factor authentication for bank accounts and that sort of thing.  I have a Philippine SIM and number.  My phone supports a regular SIM (the Philippine one) and eSIM for my US number.  I had to get this all set up in the US before I left.  Hope that helps.