Canada finally getting full Apple Pay rollout as two major banks launch today, three more confirmed

Until today, Canadians who wanted to use Apple Pay had only one option: a non-bank-issued American Express card. That’s finally changed as the first two of Canada’s ‘big five banks’ joined today, with the remaining three confirmed for ‘the coming months,’ reports the Financial Post.

Starting Tuesday, Interact debit and major credit cards issued by Royal Bank of Canada and Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce will support the payments technology, which allows users to load cards onto their iPhones and Apple Watches and make in-store purchases using their devices.

Two smaller financial institutions also add Apple Pay support today …

ATB Financial and Canadian Tire Financial Services also go live today. Apple Pay VP Jennifer Bailey confirmed that all of the Big Five will be included.

We are thrilled that seven of Canada’s leading banks, including […] every one of the Big Five are bringing Apple Pay to their customers.

Both CIBC and RBC support all major debit and credit cards, while CTF and ATB only support credit cards, though ATB is promising that debit cards will be added at a later date. ATB has a video online promoting the new facility (below).

As is often the case, support for Apple Pay has been delayed by banks hoping to sell customers on their own mobile wallet services.

CIBC, Bank of Nova Scotia and Royal Bank of Canada are among the banks that were chasing after consumer digital transactions with their own apps […] But the financial institutions were realistic, too, recognizing the pull of a brand like Apple and realizing that they did not want to put customers in the position of having to choose between their bank and their phone.

Back in the U.S., department store Kohl’s has integrated Apple Pay with rewards points, with other retail chains expected to do the same shortly.

Photo: HuffPost

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SUlcJk-vjlY