Four million more Aussies will be able to use their banks’ credit cards on Apple Pay soon, with credit card processing giant Cuscal signing off a deal with Apple that sees Credit Union Australia, Police Bank, Bank Australia and dozens of other banks and credit unions added to the contactless payment app for iPhone and Apple Watch.
Those banks will have access to Apple Pay switched on for their customers “soon”, according to Cuscal. The deal, announced by the company’s managing director Craig Kennedy and first reported by the Daily Telegraph, comes as the fight between Apple and major banks over opening up the iPhone’s NFC chip continues to drag on.
The 31 banks and credit unions listed on Cuscal’s website — including Credit Union Australia (CUA), Bank Australia, Teacher’s Mutual Bank and Police Bank — may be added to in the future, with Cuscal saying it expected more of its banking partners to come on board in the near future. Previously, Apple Pay support was limited to American Express and ANZ Bank.
Cuscal is one of Australia’s largest card issuers and runs Australia’s largest network of rediATM cash mashines. Apple Pay lets supported bank customers use their iPhones or Apple Watches to pay at contactless payment terminals, with thousands of stores around the country including major supermarkets and department stores supporting the service. Apple Pay also works through the Safari browser on iOS and macOS devices, saving card details and processing payments securely. [Cuscal]