Bank of Ireland announces support for Apple Pay

Bank of Ireland customers are to get Apple Pay three years after other users in the country, as the bank also adds a new iOS app.

Despite Apple Pay coming to Ireland in 2017 — making it just the 14th country to adopt the service — one of the nation's largest banks has only now announced support. The financial organization has now launched support alongside a newly updated Bank of Ireland iOS app.

According to RTE, Bank of Ireland took three years to adopt Apple Pay because its technology infrastructure required what it calls a major IT overhaul.

"[Apple Pay] is another important addition to our digital payment offering," Christine Hamill., Bank of Ireland's Director of Business Transformation, told RTE, "following on swiftly from the rollout of the new mobile app. [We] look forward to bringing more new features to customers over the coming months."

In 2017, Ireland's Ulster Bank and KBC Bank Ireland began accepting Apple Pay, and were shortly afterwards joined by the Allied Irish Bank. The addition of Bank of Ireland means that only one Irish bank currently remains unable to support Apple Pay

However, RTE says that it won't be alone in adoption. RTE notes that a spokesperson for bank Permanent TSB, says it will be adding support within weeks.

The Bank of Ireland's support for Apple Pay is the latest in a continuing line of countries and establishments that accept the service. Most recently, Israel's Isracard announced it was adding support.