No google acct here, I use fdroid and the Aurora store. I have no doubt though that google is working on killing the Aurora store.

https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=41773781

Do banking apps work normally if downloaded from the aurora store? I'd very much like to fully degoogle my next phone when I get to replacing it, and it's the last stumbling stone

I believe there are reasons this isn't a solution for everybody, but I just use the mobile website. Works for me, and probably a lot of people. I'd rather not have the app on my phone anyway.

I'm the same. If my bank ever requires me to install an app, I'll change banks.

Absolutely. You should check out the list [1] to see what banking apps are verified working with GrapheneOS. It's worth noting if your banking app isn't on this list it does not mean it will not work.

[1]: https://privsec.dev/posts/android/banking-applications-compa...

I checked a couple of reports relevant to me[1][2], and both explicitly mentions Play was installed and links to the Play store for the app.

Can one still assume one can install and operate those apps without Google Play?

[1]: https://github.com/PrivSec-dev/banking-apps-compat-report/is...

[2]: https://github.com/PrivSec-dev/banking-apps-compat-report/is...