Today, HSBC and First Direct has added support for Apple Pay in United Kingdom. Customers can add their cards to the Passbook app on their iPhone now to take advantage of wireless payments in more than 250,000 retail stores. Previously, both banks were announced as starting partners for the UK branch of Apple Pay, but were delayed until late July at the last minute.
The addition of HSBC and First Direct takes the total number of participating banks to nine. Others include American Express, MBNA, Nationwide, NatWest, Royal Bank of Scotland, Santander, and Ulster Bank. Bank of Scotland, Lloyds Bank, M&S Bank and TSB will add support “soon”, according to Apple’s website.
Along with the announcement of HSBC and First Direct support, customers using Apple Pay in the UK will also be able to start taking advantage of the service at both Five Guys restaurants and Wilko stores across the country.
Apple Pay can be used in stores with an iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 plus, and with an Apple Watch connected to an iPhone 5 and up. Most retailers currently have a £20 transaction cap, but some retailers including the Apple store allows customers to spend as much as they like with Apple Pay.
