ME and Heritage Bank latest to launch Apple Pay

Four years after debuting in Australia, Apple Pay is now available to customers of both ME and Heritage Bank following separate announcements last week. 

The respective moves mean customers will now be able to forgo using cash or tapping with a physical card. Instead they’ll be able to pay in-person with an Apple smartphone or smartwatch after linking their credit or debit card to the service. 

“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,” said ME Group Executive for Customer Banking, Craig Ralston.

This is the first digital wallet ME has rolled out to customers, while for Heritage Bank, Apple Pay is just the latest option available as the bank has already launched both Google Pay and Samsung Pay.

Of the bank account providers being tracked in the Mozo database, 47% now offer all three digital wallet options. Breaking it down further: 

- 69% offer Apple Pay

- 66% offer Google Pay 

- 52% offer Samsung Pay

The use of mobile payment options are becoming more and more popular, as data from Roy Morgan’s 2020 Digital Payments Report revealed that 9.8% of Aussies are now using services such as Apple and Google Pay - a 3% increase on the previous year.

And with COVID-19 very much still at the forefront of many minds, that number could continue to increase. 

Many businesses have encouraged customers to reach for a card or phone instead of notes when paying, and recent research from Mastercard suggests that Australians are heading this call with 44% of people reporting using less cash than before the pandemic started.

In fact, both ME and Heritage Bank acknowledged the importance of rolling out contactless payment options like Apple Pay at a time when many Australians are refraining from using cash for hygiene reasons. 

“With the 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,” said Heritage Bank CEO, Peter Lock.

RELATED: Westpac becomes the final big bank to offer Apple Pay

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