UK Apple Pay gains support for Clydesdale Bank & Yorkshire Bank, plus shared 'B' service

Apple Pay users in the U.K. now have access to two more banks, Clydesdale Bank and Yorkshire Bank, as well as a service operated by the pair, simply known as "B."

The latter is a digital banking platform that offers customers two accounts. People are meant to manage their money primarily through a mobile app that includes built-in budgeting tools, among them options to categorize transactions and set goals.

With the latest additions, there are now 21 supported card issuers in the U.K., though like B some of them are actually spin-offs of primary banks. First Direct, for instance, is a phone- and internet-based bank created by HSBC.

Around the world a number of financial institutions have added support for Apple Pay in the past few days, including 37 in the U.S., and two in Hong Kong. Retail compatibility continues to lag behind, though U.S. restaurant chain Chick-fil-A should finally offer the option this Friday.