Apple Pay Widens US Reach, Adds 40 More Banks, Credit Unions

In its aim to extend its reach in its homeland, Apple's contactless payment platform Apple Pay is now officially available to over 40 more banks and credit unions. The Cupertino-based firm's mobile payment service has been launched two years ago and with these recent additions, Apple Pay is going to be the service to watch out for this 2017.

Dubbed as the most popular payment system in the U.S., Apple Pay is now available to banks such as East Boston Savings Bank, First Northern Bank of Wyoming, Gateway State Bank, New York Community Bank, Texana Bank, Trust Bank, Two Rivers Bank, Western States Bank, United American Bank, New York Community Bank and Santander Bank among others, as reported by 9To5Mac.

Some of the credit unions that are now using Apple Pay are America First Credit Union, Ascentra Credit Union, Associated School Employees Credit Union, Carolina Federal Credit Union, Direct Federal Credit Union, Gulf Coast Community Federal Credit Union, NCPD Federal Credit Union, Northland Area Federal Credit Union, True Sky Credit Union, Washington Area Teachers Federal Credit Union and UBI Federal Credit Union to name a few. The complete list of the associated banks and credit unions can be found here.

In related news, Apple Pay has also expanded its coverage in Australia as it nabs two more banks in its fold. Mac Rumors has shared that ING Direct and Macquarie Bank are officially joining the previously confirmed financial institutions ANZ and Beyond Bank Australia. Meanwhile, three of the country's major banks such as Commonwealth Bank, National Australia Bank, and Westpac are yet to join the crowd as these three banks have been embroiled in an ongoing dispute with Apple. The contactless payment platform has made its debut down under two years ago.

Apple Pay is currently supporting iPhone 6, iPhone 6 Plus, iPhone 6S, iPhone 6S Plus, iPhone SE, iPhone 7, iPhone 7 Plus. The payment service also functions on all Apple Watches along with iPad Pro models, iPad Mini 4 and iPad Air 2.