Non-major banks launch Apple Pay

ME Bank and Heritage Bank have both announced that they have introduced Apple Pay so customers can avoid handing their payment card to someone else, touching physical buttons, or exchanging cash.

As part of ME Bank’s launch of Apple Pay, debit card holders have the option to select the card network they pay with when using Apple Pay by choosing Mastercard or eftpos SAV, enabling customers to make purchases and withdraw cash at participating merchants.

ME Group executive customer banking Craig Ralston said: “We’re pleased to announce that all new and existing ME cardholders can now use Apple Pay.

“Customers have been asking for it, and we’re happy to be introducing it during a time when people are looking for an alternative to cash.”

Heritage Bank said the arrival of Apple Pay is timely as it has seen an uplift in the use of contactless and digital payment solutions since the coronavirus pandemic.

Heritage Bank CEO Peter Lock said: “We are thrilled to announce that Heritage customers can now use Apple Pay to make fast and secure payments.

“With impacts of COVID-19 changing everyday life, it’s more important than ever we support our customers to make contactless digital payments simply and safely.

Customers can use Apple Pay on iPhone, Apple Watch, iPad, and Mac to make the purchases in apps or online in Safari without having to create accounts or repeatedly type in shipping and billing information.

A unique device account number is assigned, encrypted, and securely stored in the secure element, which is an industry-standard, certified chip designed to store the payment information safely on the device.

[Related: Digital wallet use soars amid COVID-19 restrictions]

Malavika Santhebennur is the features editor on the mortgages titles at Momentum Media.

Before joining the team in 2019, Malavika held roles with Money Management and Benchmark Media. She has been writing about financial services for the past six years.