Westpac and Samsung Electonics Australia confirmed that they will offer the Samsung Pay mobile payment option to Westpac’s Mastercard and Visa debit and credit cardholders.
Samsung Pay is now available at thousands of retail outlets across Australia wherever NFC (Near Field Communication) payments are accepted.
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According to George Frazis, Chief Executive Consumer Bank at Westpac Group, “On many devices, our customers can now use either Westpac Tap and Pay, Android Pay or Samsung Pay to make contactless payments, and we’re delighted to be the first Australian-owned bank to offer this choice.”
Frazis said, “Our mobile customers want access to the best technology and in addition the recent launch of the Westpac Keyboard, Samsung Pay is another example of a digital solution that offers our customers more flexibility, convenience and choice.”
Richard Fink, VP, 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.”
The latest development continues Westpac’s string of digital innovations. It was the first bank to bring internet banking to Australia, and the first in the world to initiate fingerprint sign in to iPhone devices. The partnership was announced a week after the ACCC ruled Westpac could not partner with other banks to bargain with or boycott Apple Pay.
Westpac Tap and Pay was unveiled to customers in 2014 and Android Pay 2 in 2016. More recently, it launched a unique social banking solution called Westpac Keyboard: an Australian-banking first which enables customers to pay friends and share their BSB and account details without leaving messaging apps on Apple devices.
Frazis said, “Customer behaviour is changing all the time and the growth of mobile banking in the past three years has been exponential. Our strategy is to be where our customers are, and we are delighted to offer some of the world’s most popular mobile payment platforms to our customers.”
Samsung Pay is available to Westpac Debit and Credit card holders (Mastercard and Visa cardholders) since 11 April 2017. Customers can download the Samsung Pay app and add their Westpac card to get started.