Apple Pay picks up 39 new banks, credit unions in run-up to Apple Watch

Apple on Tuesday added 39 more banks and credit unions to the roster of institutions offering support for Apple Pay, bringing the total to more than 180 since the service's launch in October 2014.

The number of additions is identical to the amount from Apple's previous update in mid-March. As before the emphasis is on credit unions, though a number of conventional banks are also represented.

The new institutions include:

• 1st Advantage Federal Credit Union
• American Savings Bank
• Bank of Utah
• Ballco Federal Credit Union
• BMO Harris N.A.
• Cambridge Savings Bank
• Campus USA Credit Union
• Centennial Bank
• Citadel Federal Credit Union
• Citizens Bank & Trust
• Citizens Equity First Credit Union
• Coastline Federal Credit Union
• Community Choice Credit Union
• Deseret First Federal Credit Union
• ELS Federal Credit Union
• Evansville Teachers Federal Credit Union
• First Fidelity Bank
• First Hawaiian Bank
• Hilltop National Bank
• Illinois State Police Federal Credit Union
• JSC Federal Credit Union
• Lafayette Federal Union
• Logix Federal Credit Union
• MidFirst Bank
• Mission Federal Credit Union
• Missoula Federal Credit Union
• North Country Federal Credit Union
• Northrup Grumman Federal Credit Union
• Old National Bank
• PointBank
• Point Loma Credit Union
• Publix Employees Federal Credit Union
• Robins Federal Credit Union
• San Diego County Credit Union
• Stockman Bank of Montana
• Technicolor Federal Credit Union
• Truity Federal Credit Union
• USAlliance Federal Credit Union
• Utah Community Federal Credit Union

Growing support for Apple Pay may be important in the lead-up to the launch of the Apple Watch on April 24, since mobile payments are one of the major marketing points of the device. The Watch will moreover bring Apple Pay to the iPhone 5, 5s, and 5c, which are otherwise incompatible.

Apple is still working on expanding the number of stores that accept Apple Pay, since most are national and regional chains, rather than independent businesses. The technology has also yet to reach beyond the United States, though the company is believed to be looking to remedy the situation.