Mastercard has partnered with Samsung to provide expanded issuer integration for Samsung Wallet through its Wallet Express programme.

The payment processor says the service provides banks and card issuers with a “swift and cost-effective” way of expanding their digital wallet offerings.

By joining Wallet Express, Mastercard said issuers will be able to provide customers with Samsung Wallet and the option to pay for goods with their Samsung handset or Galaxy wearable device.

Samsung Wallet was launched in 2022 and consolidated the mobile payment experience of Samsung Pay and Samsung Pass to give users a single application in which to organise their spending, digital keys, boarding passes, and identification cards.

“We are excited to be joining Mastercard´s Wallet Express to give consumers more flexibility to make payments almost anywhere they need to,” said Teg Dosanjh, vice president at Samsung Electronics Europe. “Millions of people already choose Samsung Wallet, and this partnership will give more people the opportunity to use the safe and secure Samsung Pay service on their Galaxy device.”

Mastercard’s Wallet Express also aims to further simplify the process for issuers in enabling and facilitating Samsung Pay.

The company said by participating in its programme, issuers can support Samsung Wallet, giving consumers more payment options.

“We´re proud that Samsung are joining our Wallet Express programme, which provides consumers with a broad range of choice,” said Valerie Nowak, executive vice president, product and innovation at Mastercard Europe. “It seamlessly integrates Samsung Wallet into their banking experience, allowing flexibility to decide how consumers make payments using their favourite Galaxy mobile and wearable devices.”

By bolstering the integration of its wallet, the partnership may serve as a move towards levelling the tap-to-pay playing field for Samsung following a recent lawsuit filed against Apple that alleged it unlawfully monopolises the market for tap-and-pay mobile wallets.

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