Apple Card may launch next in India

AppleInsiderAppleInsider
Posted:
in General Discussion

Four years after it was launched in the US, Apple Card may finally be expanding internationally, starting with India.




Even as Apple Card was first launched as a US exclusive in 2019, CEO Tim Cook said that it would expand to other countries. "We want to offer the cards everywhere," he told a German newspaper.

Apple Card has yet to expand at all, possibly because of the cost and complexity of setting it up. Apple Card partner Goldman Sachs reported a $1.2 billion loss for 2022, and ascribed most of it to the joint venture with Apple.

Now multiple sources including Engadget, and The Federal, are claiming that Apple is in discussions about Apple Card with banks in India. Reportedly, during Cook's visit to support the launch of Apple's first two stores in India, he spoke with government officials, plus HDFC Bank, and the Reserve Bank of India.

According to local business publication The Federal, India's government has told Apple it will not be granted any special considerations. It must instead follow the country's regular procedures for what are called co-branded credit cards.

Two unspecified sources told The Federal that Apple is in the early stages of talks to release Apple Card with India's HDFC Bank. However, a decision over whether to launch has not yet been taken.

The Federal suggests that one reason Apple might launch Apple Card in India before any other countries outside the US, is because of current Indian regulations. Specifically, as of May 2022, banking laws mean Apple was no longer able to accept card payments.

Instead, users in India must pay for services or App Store apps via UPI Autopay, or from topping up an Apple Account balance.

Read on AppleInsider

Comments

  • Reply 1 of 7
    22july201322july2013 Posts: 3,573member
    Usually we in Canada are #2. Sigh. Apple, take my money, please. I trust you.
    BiCwatto_cobra
  • Reply 2 of 7
    decoderringdecoderring Posts: 51member
    22july2013 said:
    Usually we in Canada are #2. Sigh. Apple, take my money, please. I trust you.
    I’ve stopped holding my breath. If Apple ever does succeed in breaking into the banking system here, I’ll be happy. But until then…
    watto_cobraFileMakerFeller
  • Reply 3 of 7
    FileMakerFellerFileMakerFeller Posts: 1,546member

    According to local business publication The Federal, India's government has told Apple it will not be granted any special considerations. It must instead follow the country's regular procedures for what are called co-branded credit cards.

    *cough* *cough* Although... *discreetly rubs finger and thumb together*
  • Reply 4 of 7
    ionicleionicle Posts: 98member
    Why not the UK? Odd decision there
  • Reply 5 of 7
    techridertechrider Posts: 102member
    BiC said:
    Who do you think will seal the deal- Royal Bank of Canada - Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce - Bank of Montreal - Toronto Dominion or Alberta Treasury Branches!  I love the names.  Why do we only have Five banks?? And ATB is only in Alberta.  I love ATB here in Edmonton the guards are armed.  No Riff Raff. No mucking around with the Treasury!!  I would never trust a bank that the guards aren't armed.
    You forgot Bank of Nova Scotia and National Bank of Canada. ATB may not be one of the “big 6” national banks, but armed guards sounds handy to keep the gophers out ;)
  • Reply 6 of 7
    chutzpahchutzpah Posts: 392member
    ionicle said:
    Why not the UK? Odd decision there
    Presumably because of, as the article clearly says:
    current Indian regulations

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