ANZ first Australian bank to offer Android Pay
Pali Bhat, Google
Australia and New Zealand-based banking group, ANZ, is the first bank to launch Android Pay in Australia.
ANZ chief executive officer Shayne Elliott says: “Being the first major bank in Australia able to offer Android Pay is another important milestone for ANZ.”
Google senior director product management Pali Bhat adds: “Using Android Pay is more secure – and much faster – than rummaging through your wallet for a plastic card. Starting today, people will be able to use their Android device to pay at almost 800,000 contactless payment terminals in Australia.”
ANZ customers with an eligible Android device can now choose Android Pay or ANZ Mobile Pay at retailers that accept contactless payments anywhere in Australia.
Android devices with the KitKat operating system or later can use Android Pay through the near field communication (NFC) chip in the phone or tablet to make purchases.
Android Pay uses tokenisation security to generate a unique number for each purchase so customer card details are never actually shared with the retailer directly.
Where’s the love?
Android Pay is on the march around the world.
Recently, Android Pay arrived in the UK. Retailers like Boots, Waitrose and Starbucks are already onboard, and so is Transport for London (i.e. underground, buses and trains).
It also launched in Singapore, making it the first country in Asia to get the system. Bhat says Singapore was chosen as the third market worldwide after the US and UK due to the number of mobile phone users and highly developed infrastructure.
However, not everyone has declared their undying love for Android Pay. Barclays launched its own mobile contactless on Android, and confirmed it will not be joining Android Pay.
