Exciting news for Jamaican consumers as they are set to gain access to Apple Pay in 2025 through the Bank of Nova Scotia Jamaica (BNSJ). This announcement was made during Scotia Group Jamaica Limited’s (SGJ) media briefing, where it was revealed that BNSJ will be the first local bank to partner with the US$3 trillion tech giant.
Currently, BNSJ is in the testing phase of Apple Pay with its staff members who have credit cards. The next step in the pilot program is to add debit cards to the mix. Perrin Gayle, SGJ’s head of retail banking and small business, Caribbean North and Central, highlighted the importance of forming partnerships with financial institutions to enter specific markets, citing Apple Pay as a prime example.
Apple Pay will allow Jamaicans to make contactless payments using their iPhones, Apple Watches, and other Apple devices at point of sale (POS) machines in the country. This move will bring Jamaicans in line with over 500 million users globally who already utilize Apple Pay.
In addition to Apple Pay, BNSJ is also exploring the possibility of introducing Samsung Pay to the Jamaican market at a later date. While Google Pay is another popular payment alternative, BNSJ has decided not to make this option available in Jamaica for the time being.
The introduction of Apple Pay and Samsung Pay to Jamaica comes shortly after the launch of NCB Pay by NCBJ in March 2023. NCB Pay allows customers to make mobile payments at POS devices locally and internationally. Furthermore, efforts are underway to enable peer-to-peer transfers via NCBJ’s card rails, allowing for 24/7 transfers with anyone holding a Visa or Mastercard branded card.
Overall, the entrance of Apple Pay and Samsung Pay into the Jamaican market represents a significant step forward in modernizing the country’s payment infrastructure. With the increasing adoption of digital payment solutions, Jamaican consumers can look forward to a more convenient and seamless payment experience in the years to come.
