Apple Pay wins deal with 31 Australian banks, credit unions

More Australian credit card users will soon be able to use Apple Pay. Cuscal, one of the country’s largest card issuers, has signed a deal with Apple, allowing 31 of the banks and credit unions under it to be added to the contactless payment app.

Currently, only American Express and ANZ support Apple Pay. But with Cuscal onboard, 31 of its banking partners will also support the digital wallet service.

These clients include Bank Australia, Bank of Sydney, Beyond Bank Australia, Credit Union Australia (CUA), Police Bank and Defence Bank. The full list of participating Cuscal clients are listed here.

“Ultimately, us doing the work with Apple Pay in providing these connection services over time will enable just over 4 million card holders to have access to that if all of our client organisations opt in,” Craig Kennedy, Cuscal managing director, was quoted by the Daily Telegraph as saying.

He also encouraged Australia’s biggest banks to settle their differences with Apple so their customers can use the service.

“I hope that Apple and the banks find some middle ground here because I think it would be everybody’s interest if they found a solution for their current stalement,” he said. “The more people use these services and the more cards that are in there, the more common that it becomes and it lifts everybody.”

Kennedy was referring to CBA, NAB, Westpac and other banks’ dispute with Apple. The major banks want the Australian Competition & Consumer Commission (ACCC) to allow them to challenge Apple’s monopoly of its iPhone digital wallet and give them access to its NFC antenna. The ACCC rejected their demand for interim authorisation, though the fight is far from over, only delayed.

Apple Pay, meanwhile, praised Cuscal’s deal with the tech giant. “We want as many Australians as possible to be able to use Apple Pay,” Jennifer Bailey, VP of Apple Pay, said. “Today, more than 3,500 banks across 12 countries already support Apple Pay and we think Cuscal’s customers will really love using Apple Pay for everyday purchases in stores, apps and on the Web.”

Apple Pay lets users make payments using select Apple devices, using iPhone 6, iPhone 6 Plus, iPhone 6S, iPhone 7, iPhone 7 Plus, iPhone SE, Apple Watches and more.

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