HSBC introduces Google Pay to its cards
Both HSBC credit and debit cardholders can now use Google Pay in-store and online.
HSBC has today launched Google Pay enabling its retail customers with a credit or debit card to make secure, contactless payments using Google's e-wallet. After launching Apple Pay in May 2017, this new partnership will allow HSBC customers with Android devices to make payments in-store or online using the virtual wallet.
Google Pay is Google's digital wallet solution and is the single brand resulting from the long-overdue consolidation of Android Pay, Google Play and Google Wallet. Google combined its previous three e-wallets to launch Google Pay in February 2018, in a bid to make the various e-wallet solutions less confusing for consumers.
Google Pay allows customers with an HSBC debit or credit card to make purchases in stores without their physical card using just their Android device. Plus, customers can make purchases online using Google Pay without the need to manually re-enter their card details.
Head of retail banking and wealth management at HSBC Australia Graham Heunis said the bank is proud to offer its customers with Android devices the benefits of using a digital wallet. "Using Google Pay, our customers can make transactions online or anywhere contactless payments are accepted and will still enjoy the same perks and protections from their HSBC cards."
Australians were quick to adopt contactless card payments such as tap-and-go into their daily spending. However, it appears digital wallets are yet to have too much of an influence. Recent research by finder found only 14% of Australians would consider switching banks to have access to a particular digital wallet like Apple Pay or Google Pay. While 35% of Gen Z said they'd consider switching for this, only 2% of Baby Boomers would. Heunis said he expects Australians' uptake of the technology to continue to grow.
“With customers increasingly relying on smartphones for shopping, paying bills, and even managing their finances, Google Pay will help simplify retail experiences and offer customers the freedom to decide how, when and where they wish to pay. In markets such as China, HSBC has already witnessed the rapid uptake of mobile payments technology. Similarly, we expect Australians to increasingly embrace the flexibility of making mobile payments,” he said.
HSBC customers with an active debit or credit card can now download the Google Pay app from the Google Play store. Users will need to have a device operating Android 4.4 Kit-Kat and above. If you're not yet an HSBC customer, you can compare the range of savings and transaction accounts it offers here in our guide.
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