The addition of the two new major banks brings the total to 11 in the UK who now support the mobile contactless payment, reports Wired.
Apple Pay launched in the UK in July this year, with 250,000 shops supporting the payment method, but only seven banks signing up at launch.
First Direct and HSBC were first to join the initial seven at the end of July. At the time Lloyds and Halifax listed the service as “coming soon” and have now joined the group willing to let customers buy products directly with their phones and watches.
The full list of banks that now support Apple Pay in the UK are:
- American Express
- First Direct
- HSBC
- Halifax
- Lloyds
- NatWest
- NationWide
- MBNA
- Royal Bank of Scotland
- Santander
- Ulster
M&S and Barclays are expected to follow — though the latter might take some time, given its continued push on bPay, its own contactless payments platform, and its range of slightly awkward bands, stickers and other devices.
Apple Pay is available on Transport for London and in most high street shops, including the Post Office and Boots.
