Author: Stephen

Apple’s mobile payments expansion is finding lackluster support from banks

Banks have relatively low interest in Apple Pay

Apple is running into trouble with the expansion of its mobile payments service, Apple Pay. The company has been trying to convince the world’s largest banks to support the service, but the banks have shown relatively little interest. Apple is looking to launch Apple Pay in China in the coming year, but financial institutions have yet to be dazzled by the mobile payments service. Banks in other countries are showing similar disinterest, as well, slowing the expansion of Apple Pay considerably.

Australian banks have yet to show any strong support for Apple’s mobile payments service

Last month, Apple did manage to launch its mobile payments service in Australia, with the aid of American Express. While Apple Pay has come to Australia, it has yet to acquire the support of the country’s four largest banks, ANZ, National Australia Bank, Commonwealth Bank, and Westpac. These banks represent an estimated 80% of consumers in the country that are already using mobile payments systems.

Banks have already established a foothold in the mobile payments market

Mobile Payments - Australia & Apple PayAustralian banks seem uninterested in Apple Pay because they have already done all the work to make mobile payments available in the country/ As such, some of these banks may see Apple as looking to come in and take advantage of a market that has already been established. Australian consumers have had access to a wide range of mobile payments services for some time, most of which have managed to acquire the support of the country’s banks.

Apple continues to face significant competition

Apple has overcome many challenges in the mobile payments space in the past, but without support from banks, Apple Pay may find relatively little traffic in promising markets. When Apple Pay launches in other countries, it will be facing significant competition from other companies that are involved in the mobile payments space, some of whom have already established a significant foothold in several markets. Considering the interest that iOS users have in mobile payments, however, Apple may be able to find success even if banks are relatively wary.

Mobile payments firm acquires Near.in in India

Paytm could improve its standing in the mobile payments space through latest acquisition

Paytm, India’s largest mobile payments firm, has announced the successful acquisition of Near.in, a local services startup. Paytm acquired the company for $2 million and believes that the acquisition will improve the company’s already considerably strong position in the mobile commerce space. Near.in is capable of connecting consumers in four of India’s large cities with various verified businesses, ranging from home repair companies to fortune tellers. Paytm believes that the services provided by Near.in will ensure more consumers are exposed to mobile payments.

Paytm is finding significant success in the mobile space

Paytm has raised some $700 million in funding from a wide range of investors, including China’s Alibaba, which has also established a major lead in the mobile payments space. Paytm processes more than 100 million online transactions every month and has begun expanding its business operations in order to connect with more consumers living in India. Mobile payments are becoming a powerful force in India’s retail space, with more companies looking to engage the growing number of mobile consumers in the country.

Firm is working with numerous companies to make mobile payments more accessible

Mobile Payments AcquisitionIn the past two months, Paytm has been making investments in various companies in order to make mobile payments more accessible. The company has invested in Jugnoo, a startup that makes use of rickshaws to make deliveries to consumers. Paytm is also working with BookMyShow and Zomato in order to support services like food deliveries and restaurant reservations. These services are available to mobile consumers, who can use their devices to make mobile payments.

Paytm will have to overcome security challenges to ensure the success of mobile payments

Paytm is expected to see more success in the mobile payments space as it begins working with a wider range of businesses. The demand for mobile payments services is growing quickly and Paytm is ideally suited to address the needs of mobile consumers. One of the challenges the company will have to overcome to ensure continued success, however, is security. Mobile payments has become rife with fraud, which has left many consumers exposed to exploitation.