Apple users in Germany can no longer make bank transfer payments, with Apple reportedly removing the support for bank transfer payments from its checkout system on the internet.
According to a report, the removal happened for Apple’s online store in Germany, and it’s not clear if other countries will be impacted by the move. The changes mean German consumers can only pay via credit card, PayPal or via financing. In the past, customers to the German Apple online store could make a purchase via bank wire transfer instead of with a credit card or PayPal. The bank transfers would be sent to Apple’s payment processing company, and once the payment cleared, the order would be built and shipped. The option isn’t available in the U.S. but is popular overseas, noted the report. While Apple Pay is available in the U.S. and other countries, it hasn’t made its way to Germany as of yet.
In the U.S., however, it has been in expansion mode. In September, Apple announced it has added more than 20 banks and credit unions in the U.S. Some of the financial firms include First National Bank of Aspermont, Patterson State Bank, Allegiance Credit Union, First New York Federal Credit Union, Pioneer Bank FSB, Anchor D Bank, Glendale Federal Credit Union, Bank of the West, Bay Atlantic Federal Credit Union and BayCoast Bank. The move on the part of Apple comes as it is working hard to increase adoption of Apple Pay. The service has gotten off to a slow start since its launch. While the number of people who have tried Apple Pay has tripled since its launch, it’s not being driven by a hysteria that often follows a new iPhone launch. Because it’s being more broadly made available, more people are trying it, thus the tripling of adoptions.