Android Wallet launches without three major banks
(14 July 2016 – Australia) Google's mobile wallet Android Pay has officially launched in Australia, however ANZ Bank is the only ‘Big 4’ provider to offer the service.
Launching nearly 8 months after its competitor, Apple Pay, the mobile payment service has signed on over 28 financial institutions, including Macquarie Bank, Bank Australia, Bank of Sydney and the Teachers Mutual Bank.
Surprisingly, several of Australia’s largest banks, including Westpac, are absent in offering the service to customers, despite that bank stating in December that it would be supporting Android Pay.
Google senior director of product management, Pali Bhat, told reporters that Google is “Working closely with Westpac to make Android Pay available to Westpac card holders.
"We want to deliver the best possible mobile payments experience for Android users in Australia. Given that there are a quite a few moving parts, it means significant joint testing with our partners... and we look forward to welcoming more banks and partners later this year,” he said.
ANZ chief executive Shayne Elliott said this move was the next step in the bank's attempts to "build the best digital bank for our customers".
"Given Android is the most popular smartphone operating system in Australia, we know today's announcement will be well received by both our retail and merchant customers," Elliott said.
"There is value in being a leader... this is a long game, but we want to be engaged and we want to be part of it from the very start. We've focused all our resources on being first."
In a post on the technology giant’s blog, Bhat said “Whether you're heading out for Sunday brunch or doing the weekly shop, your Android phone will be all you need as you walk out the door.,
"In a few days’ time, you will also be able to speed through checkout using Android Pay in your favourite apps — including Catch of the Day, Deliveroo, Domino's, EatNow, Hotel Tonight, Kogan.com and many more."
Additionally, the blog post highlighted that other financial institutions that have signed up to Android Pay include the Central West Credit Union, First Option Credit Union, Mystate Bank, The Mac and the Sydney Credit Union, with the feature being soon available to Bendigo Bank and ING Direct customers.
ANZ Bank, who was also the first of the Big Four to introduce Apple Pay earlier this year, said that the bank will continue to work with Google going forward.
"Leadership means investment, but it also means a willingness to be first," Elliott said.
"This is just the beginning... I can't even comprehend where this will lead to."
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