ANZ inks deal with Apple

ANZ is the first of the big four banks to enter into an agreement with Apple to support the Apple Pay digital wallet service. All four had previously agreed to support the Google Android pay system. The bank joins American Express, which has supported Apple Pay since late 2015.

According to Reuters, the deal was confirmed this morning and ANZ CEO Shane Elliot is quoted as saying that the introduction “is a significant milestone in our strategy to use digital technology to provide our customers with a superior experience and will be a watershed moment for the adoption of mobile payments in Australia”.

He said that demand from customers has been huge and the move is largely based on the high adoption rates of contactless payments thus far. More than 60% of card transactions in Australia are now contactless.

Apple is in continuing talks with other Australian banks to facilitate a deal.