A Chase/Android Pay Union Is In Sight

For many JPMorgan Chase customers and Android device users, a hint of a marriage between the large issuer and the prevalent mobile wallet is welcome news.

According to Android Police, that day may finally be coming as the site is showing a "leaked document" that indicates the bank will begin supporting Android Pay on Sept. 7.

Chase spokesperson Rebecca Acevedo confirmed to PaymentsSource the bank intends to support Android Pay this fall, but she did not commit to Sept. 7 as a date that has officially been set.

Rumors regarding Chase and Android Pay began more than a year ago when Android Pay users began circulating a response from a Chase service specialist on the bank's website that indicated the bank would begin supporting Android Pay in late 2015.

That, of course, never happened even though some Chase cardholders have been able to load their cards onto Android Pay via their Google accounts. The bank has not fully supported Android Pay through its acquiring network or promotions to bank customers.

The bank's own Chase Pay is slated to launch soon as well, and that mobile wallet offering finds itself in a strong position with Shell Oil, Phillips 66 and Starbucks as the first to sign on to accept the QR code-based mobile payment service.

It stands to reason major retailers that were part of the Merchant Customer Exchange — including Shell and Phillips 66 — have plenty of interest. Chase Pay's main selling point of lower processing rates is in alignment with MCX's mission.

Adding other mobile wallet options to the bank's support network simply spreads consumer choice and allows merchant accounts to take out the guesswork on what Chase Merchant Services can bring to the table regarding transaction acceptance.

Chase Pay evolved through the establishment of ChaseNet, a streamlined acquiring network that has its own roots in a 10-year contract Chase established with Visa in 2013.

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