Les services de paiement d’Apple derrière les nouvelles fonctionnalités du portefeuille Apple au Royaume-Uni
Apple Payments Services, an acquisition made by Apple, is believed to be behind the new exclusive features of Apple Wallet in the UK. This suggests that Apple might have plans to launch additional financial services in the country.
Apple Payments Services: Formerly Credit Kudos
Last year, Apple acquired a UK open banking startup called Credit Kudos, which aimed to assist lenders in making better decisions. In July, Apple filed to change the name of the company to Apple Payments Services Limited. As a result, “Credit Kudos” is now just a trading name of Apple Payments Services.
UK-Exclusive Apple Wallet Features
The new UK-exclusive feature in iOS 17.1 allows users to see their account balances directly in Apple Wallet. This feature is powered by the regulated open banking API in the UK. Since Credit Kudos specialized in UK open banking, it is highly likely that their expertise is behind this new feature.
Future Plans and Renaming
It is unclear what Apple has in store for Credit Kudos’ technology in the future. However, considering the significant acquisition cost of £131 million ($170 million) and the recent renaming to Apple Payments Services, it suggests that the company is continuing its work. While 31 employees left Credit Kudos after the acquisition, a team of over a dozen employees and the CEO, Freddy Kelly, remain at the company.
Potential Integration with Apple Card
Credit Kudos provided lenders with an API to make faster and automated loan decisions with reduced risk. It is possible that Apple could utilize this technology for the launch of Apple Card in the UK. The UK is a crucial market for Apple, and new features and services often debut there after a US launch. Currently, Apple Card is only available in the United States.
Expanding Internationally
Given the success of Apple Card in the US, it is reasonable to assume that Apple might consider expanding into overseas markets. In 2019, Apple CEO Tim Cook expressed interest in launching Apple Card internationally during a visit to Germany. However, launching Apple Card in different countries presents challenges due to varying credit markets and financial regulations. Apple would need tailored solutions to make lending decisions in each country, and Credit Kudos could be a suitable platform for the UK.
Apple’s Acquisition Strategy
Apple often acquires smaller companies to enhance its technologies and expertise. These acquisitions can either be integrated into existing products or become new additions to Apple’s ecosystem. Recent examples include the acquisitions of Shazam, Drive.ai, Dark Sky, Workflow, and Primephonic. Apple’s acquisition of Credit Kudos aligns with this strategy.
Source : www.macrumors.com
