Barclays Confirms Apple Pay Support in Future, First Direct and HSBC Delayed Until Later This Month

[Brenster]

You would change banks because they don't support apple pay for a couple of weeks?

I dont know who to recommend for that sort of reason...

The fact of the lack of communication from the Bank is one of the reasons I want to change. They were listed as a Launch Partner and clearly aren't even though they are trying to claim they are still in the first wave of banks supporting Apple Pay which I don't get how they can even think that.

Also their Banking App is terrible.

Been a HSBC customer since the Midland Bank days - they're just getting worse. Leaving aside my empathy for the thousands of frontline staff they keep shedding and their aiding tax evaders, the Apple Pay debacle isn't the only reason I'm minded to leave.

Having come into a chunk of change late last year, I decided to put some of it into an ISA. With my current account and primary credit card being with HSBC I put my money into one of their ISA accounts at an ok but not fantastic interest rate. Barely a week after signing up, and baring in mind that you can't move elsewhere during the financial year, HSBC wrote and said they were cutting the rate on the 'product'. I've no comeback, no right to start anew elsewhere this financial year.

The only option left to me is to vote with my feet and suck up any losses.

I'm sorely tempted as their every move seems calculated to either benefit HSBC's upper management, disadvantage me or both.

 

[Azzin]

Any recommendation for banks to switch to from HSBC?

First Direct, 100% the bank to be with.

Just check somewhere like moneysavingexpert.com to see them come consistently top in satisfaction polls.

 

[Anomis90]

baring in mind that you can't move elsewhere during the financial year,

Why can't you move?

 

[Anomis90]

First Direct, 100% the bank to be with.

Just check somewhere like moneysavingexpert.com to see them come consistently top in satisfaction polls.

You do realise HSBC and First Direct are sister companies?

 

[Azzin]

You do realise HSBC and First Direct are sister companies?

FD are part of HSBC, not a sister company and there couldn't be two more polar opposites when it comes to CS, than HSBC & FD.

[Edit] - Just to add; I've been with FD since the day they started and wouldn't EVER consider changing banks, as there's no company in the world with CS alike FD's.

 

[Anomis90]

FD are part of HSBC, not a sister company and there couldn't be two more polar opposites when it comes to CS, than HSBC & FD.

What my main concerns are the fact that they are so crap with technology. I remember when Contactless first came out and was limited to London postcodes only and waiting for a long time. Their banking app is terrible and has only been recently changed to not having to have a physical authenticator present.

I've heard good things about Natwest Touch ID for the app, being able to pull cash out from a cash point without a card etc.

 

[Brenster]

Why can't you move?

You can sign up for one ISA account per person per financial year. Having already signed up with HSBC's means I cannot take up another ISA account elsewhere.

1. Newly subscribed (paid in) money in the current tax year can only be held in up to one cash ISA and up to one stocks and shares ISA. However, provided the annual contribution limits are not exceeded significantly HMRC can be expected to forgive one transgression using too many accounts and merely post a letter reminding about the rules after the annual returns from ISA providers reveal the problem.[14] This should not be relied upon, as it is at HMRC's discretion.

 

[Weavus]

Just to add; I've been with FD since the day they started and wouldn't EVER consider changing banks, as there's no company in the world with CS alike FD's.

I can't recall ever needing to speak to my bank (apart from having to persuade them to allow me to spend my own money due to fraud checks). I'm much more interested in who has the best iOS app...

 

[avanpelt]

It seems that the UK has the opposite problem that the US has. In the US, banks are supporting ApplePay in droves but merchant support has been lackluster. In the UK, the merchant support is already in place but it looks like banks are taking their time. In both countries, I think it's safe to say that ApplePay cannot be placed under the mantra of "it just works".

 

[Anomis90]

You can sign up for one ISA account per person per financial year. Having already signed up with HSBC's means I cannot take up another ISA account elsewhere.

I think what I'm likley to do then is set up a bank account elsewhere but keep my ISA savings account with HSBC until April then.

 

[Ironduke]

**** you halifax

 

[bbfc]

M&S Bank is part of HSBC, so it's no surprise they will launch at the same time. I use my HSBC Debit Card and M&S Credit Card most of the time, so lucking forward to adding this to Apple Pay.

 

[LucasEVille]

It seems that the UK has the opposite problem that the US has. In the US, banks are supporting ApplePay in droves but merchant support has been lackluster. In the UK, the merchant support is already in place but it looks like banks are taking their time. In both countries, I think it's safe to say that ApplePay cannot be placed under the mantra of "it just works".

I get the UK problem because Banks love to get involved in how we spend our money, however I don't get at all why retailers in the US don't support it and contactless at large. Surely the more ways you have to spend your money easier, the better for retailers?

 

[Anomis90]

You can sign up for one ISA account per person per financial year. Having already signed up with HSBC's means I cannot take up another ISA account elsewhere.

https://www.gov.uk/individual-savings-accounts/transferring-your-isa

Apparently you can transfer it, I may be misunderstanding this though.

 

[bbfc]

It seems that the UK has the opposite problem that the US has. In the US, banks are supporting ApplePay in droves but merchant support has been lackluster. In the UK, the merchant support is already in place but it looks like banks are taking their time. In both countries, I think it's safe to say that ApplePay cannot be placed under the mantra of "it just works".

You are correct. It must be an annoyance to Apple when the banks delay the launch.

 

[Brenster]

I think what I'm likley to do then is set up a bank account elsewhere but keep my ISA savings account with HSBC until April then.

Will be looking to do the same this evening. I could do without the turmoil of migrating direct debits and salary details but they've made it clear that the concerns of their customers haven't made the top ten at HSBC for a while now.

https://www.gov.uk/individual-savings-accounts/transferring-your-isa

Apparently you can transfer it, I may be misunderstanding this though.

Thanks for the link. Will make a coffee and read through it.

 

[Banyan Bruce]

Lloyds, the bank with the Black Horse. More like an old nag.

 

[576316]

"In future" sounded a bit vague and far off. But if the "imminent" story is true, then it could be a lot closer. To be honest, I'm really hoping for support by the end of the month. It seems suspicious to me that, as the two largest banks in the UK, HSBC and Barclays have not supported Apple Pay from day 1. Seems like Apple may be working some sort of deal with them. It could also mean that Barclays were offered a better deal than HSBC, HSBC got wind and pulled out day 1 support to renegotiate. Obviously I'm clutching at straws here.

 

[576316]

Majorly disappointed in HSBC, delaying ApplePay until later. Come on HSBC get your act together. I wish I banked with someone else !!

Hold that feeling you have right now. Now imagine your bank had said absolutely nothing about supporting Apple Pay. Now you're feeling what us Barclays customers felt at the announcement! Luckily Barclays have now changed their minds, but "in future" could mean anytime in the next 50-1,000 years!!

 

[Anomis90]

Hold that feeling you have right now. Now imagine your bank had said absolutely nothing about supporting Apple Pay. Now you're feeling what us Barclays customers felt at the announcement! Luckily Barclays have now changed their minds, but "in future" could mean anytime in the next 50-1,000 years!!

Time to switch banks?

 

[ConnYoungy]

Don't know if this has been mentioned anywhere, from the Visa website:

Are contactless payments using Apple Pay, subject to the £20 contactless threshold?
No – Mobile payment services such as Apple Pay can be used for payments over the £20 contactless threshold, with a growing number of UK retailers supporting what we term ‘high value’ mobile contactless payment – which involve you verifying yourself using Touch ID (for Apple Pay) or another verification method, such as a passcode entered on your device. These cardholder verification methods add an additional layer of security for peace of mind, and act in much the same way as when you use ‘Chip and PIN’ to secure payments made in store with your Visa card. High value mobile payments are also widely supported in a growing number of retailers accepting contactless payment across Europe.

 

[Weavus]

Will be looking to do the same this evening. I could do without the turmoil of migrating direct debits and salary details but they've made it clear that the concerns of their customers haven't made the top ten at HSBC for a while now.

You don't have to do any migrating, it's all automatic for most banks now in 7 days, SO's DDs balance etc all transfered over and the old account closed. They also redirect any payments to/from the old bank account for 3 years in case anything is missed. It's so easy to switch and frankly there is not much to lose and plenty to gain.

 

[bbfc]

"In future" sounded a bit vague and far off. But if the "imminent" story is true, then it could be a lot closer. To be honest, I'm really hoping for support by the end of the month. It seems suspicious to me that, as the two largest banks in the UK, HSBC and Barclays have not supported Apple Pay from day 1. Seems like Apple may be working some sort of deal with them. It could also mean that Barclays were offered a better deal than HSBC, HSBC got wind and pulled out day 1 support to renegotiate. Obviously I'm clutching at straws here.

I don't think it's to do with deals or anything like that.

 

[r-m]

Don't know if this has been mentioned anywhere, from the Visa website:

Are contactless payments using Apple Pay, subject to the £20 contactless threshold?
No – Mobile payment services such as Apple Pay can be used for payments over the £20 contactless threshold, with a growing number of UK retailers supporting what we term ‘high value’ mobile contactless payment – which involve you verifying yourself using Touch ID (for Apple Pay) or another verification method, such as a passcode entered on your device. These cardholder verification methods add an additional layer of security for peace of mind, and act in much the same way as when you use ‘Chip and PIN’ to secure payments made in store with your Visa card. High value mobile payments are also widely supported in a growing number of retailers accepting contactless payment across Europe.

I've seen it around.
Unfortunately it doesn't seem anyone does actually support it yet. Or if they do, they're being quiet about it.
I'd have expected Apple Pay launch partners to support it. Especially BP. But BP, Costa, McDs and others, have all confirmed they'll have the £20 limit and from their comments, probably will still be limited when the limit is increased to £30.
I find that more disappointing than lack of major banks supporting Apple Pay.

 

[daijholt]

I've seen it around.
Unfortunately it doesn't seem anyone does actually support it yet. Or if they do, they're being quiet about it.
I'd have expected Apple Pay launch partners to support it. Especially BP. But BP, Costa, McDs and others, have all confirmed they'll have the £20 limit and from their comments, probably will still be limited when the limit is increased to £30.
I find that more disappointing than lack of major banks supporting Apple Pay.

A number of Apple Pay day one partners have already upgraded to the limitless terminals, and I can only assume the rest have agreed to do so in the near future else they wouldn't have made the list on Apple's site. Well overdue though.