Westpac customers can now use Samsung Pay

Westpac has today announced their debit and credit card holders can now use Samsung Pay – a first move from the big bank outside their own app and payment technology.

While they may have been fighting to collectively bargain with Apple for access to Apple Pay it seems Westpac were happy to jump on board Samsung’s digital wallet offering access to their customers and becoming the first major bank to support Samsung Pay.

Alongside Citibank and AMEX, Westpac customers can add their debit and credit cards to access tap and go payments from their phone or Samsung smart watch.

Richard Fink, Vice President, Mobile Division at Samsung Australia said: “We know Australians use their smartphones every day to enjoy content, stay connected and organise their lives. Partnering with Westpac will bring the security and convenience of Samsung Pay to millions of Australians.

“Through our partnerships with Australian financial institutions and loyalty card providers, we are bringing our customers closer to replacing their physical wallets with their Galaxy smartphones.

“I am excited not only by the great potential of Samsung Pay for our customers but also in its ability to allow our partners – like Westpac – to offer greater value to its customers.”

George Frazis, Chief Executive Consumer Bank at Westpac Group said: “Our mobile customers want access to the best technology so we are delighted to add Samsung Pay, one of the world’s most popular mobile payment platforms, to our range of mobile payment options.

“Samsung Pay is just one of many digital solutions that we are progressively introducing to our nine million customers to offer them more flexibility, convenience and choice.”

Additionally, the new iris scanning feature on the S8 phone will be added as an authentication method at Samsung Pay, alongside PIN and fingerprint for authorising payments.

Great move by Westpac – could it lead to an Apple Pay announcement soon?  We hope so, but doubt it:)