“Samsung Pay is a robust mobile payment platform that not only supports the shift towards digital wallets today, but provides a conducive and future-proof avenue for secure e-payments in Malaysia,” said Mr. Lee Jui Siang, Vice President of the Mobile and IT Business Unit, Samsung Malaysia Electronics. “As Samsung has done with other markets, we have taken a customized approach to our launch in Malaysia, collaborating with key partners to turn swift and secure mobile payments into reality for our users. We are proud to call leading financial institutions and merchants our partners and to introduce Samsung Pay as the most widely accepted mobile payment service in Malaysia. We are working tirelessly to ensure that Samsung Pay is here to stay and this includes our future plans to boost the service through loyalty programmes.”

“We are pleased to bring Samsung Pay to Malaysia – a country which is embarking on an ambitious and exciting path towards a cashless society. Even as we launch this service, however, we must be mindful of how consumer expectations and needs are changing. More and more, consumers are not just looking for a payment service, but an upgrade to their wallets to create a truly digital experience for everyday transactions and activities,” said Thomas Ko, Vice President and Global GM of Samsung Pay at Samsung Electronics. “We envision that Samsung Pay will continue to push the boundaries of what is capable with a phone, and create a truly mobile wallet. We look forward to developing and evolving Samsung Pay and bringing the benefits of this change to our users.”

Vijay Manoharan, CIMB Group Senior Managing Director of Digital Banking and Decision Management, Consumer Banking shared: “CIMB is delighted to work with Samsung Pay to further promote cashless payments and provide our customers with more digital platforms to make secure digital payments. Partnering with leaders in innovation and technology like Samsung further reaffirms CIMB’s support to encourage the use of digital payments, as well as CIMB’s commitment to our customers to make payments, faster and more convenient for them.”

“The Samsung partnership opens yet another digital banking channel that will enhance customer experience and engagement with Citi. Over 40 percent of Citi customers in Malaysia have shown a preference for digital banking. Our global network strengths combined with innovation and technology have enabled us to accelerate the implementation of digital initiatives within the country and see a steady growth across our retail and cards businesses,” said Federico Grigera, Head of Cards and Consumer Lending at Citibank Berhad. “Digitization has and will continue to transform the financial services landscape. Our plan at Citi in Malaysia is to continue to grow the stronghold we have in the digital space and to ensure that customer interactions and experience are truly remarkable. Our new digital banking environment is a commitment to ensure customers have a faster, more personal and revolutionary way of banking.

Maybank Group Chief Strategy Officer Michael Foong said, “We are proud to be the first bank in Malaysia to partner with Samsung for this digital initiative that will bring even greater payment convenience to our cardholders. Having been at the forefront in digitizing banking services in Malaysia over the years, Maybank will continue to cater to changing customers’ needs through innovative solutions that are simple, convenient and safe, in line with our objective of becoming a digital bank of choice in the region.”

“Standard Chartered is pleased to introduce one of many initiatives designed to make banking easy and convenient for our clients – Samsung Pay,” said Aaron Loo, Head of Retail Banking, Standard Chartered Bank Malaysia. “We are rewarding clients, who are early adopters, up to 20 percent cashback for transactions done through Samsung Pay until 30 April 2017. New clients who sign-up for the Standard Chartered credit card will enjoy an additional RM 150 cashback.”

“In Malaysia, we are seeing an encouraging uptake of mobile payments among consumers with a growth rate of more than 40 percent over the past three years. The collaboration is therefore timely as we strive to deliver newer innovations to cater to the rapidly evolving mobile payments space. In this effort, we also look to accelerate the adoption of contactless in-store payments by providing more ways to pay simply, safely and smartly. Together with Samsung, we are excited to support and enhance the acceptance of mobile devices for commercial purposes as we move towards the further advancement of Malaysia’s payments industry,” said Perry Ong, Country Manager, Malaysia and Brunei, Mastercard.

“The launch of Samsung Pay in Malaysia will bring the growth of contactless payments in the country to the next level. Samsung Pay uses Visa Token Service which replaces cardholder information with a unique digital identifier without exposing sensitive account information,” said KB Ng, Visa Country Manager for Malaysia. “Consumers today are already embracing contactless payments, with over two million Visa payWave transactions conducted monthly and double digit month-on-month growth as of January 2017. A recent study that Visa conducted also showed that seven in ten Malaysians are ready to adopt mobile payments and we are confident this growth will continue to accelerate as we move in tandem with the nation’s aim of becoming a cashless society.”

As part of its efforts to provide a seamless experience for Samsung Pay users, Samsung has been actively engaging merchants, providing training to their cashiers and point of sale acceptance signs. To date, over 90 percent2 of merchants ranging from food and beverage outlets, fashion and lifestyle retailers, and supermarkets and department stores in Malaysia have adopted the system and are equipped to offer users the ultimate convenience in mobile payment. More merchants are expected to come on board soon. Along with participating banks and merchants, Samsung Pay’s existing support of loyalty card programmes such as B Infinite, Bonuslink and Sunway Pals in Malaysia will be joined by more loyalty brands in the coming months.

Samsung Pay’s launch in Malaysia continues a broader push towards introducing mobile payments in Southeast Asia and the Asia Pacific region, following recent launches in Australia, Singapore and Thailand. Samsung strives to ensure its services are tailored to local market needs and preferences. To that end, Samsung Pay has consistently introduced localized value-added services, such as compatibility with loyalty cards in Malaysia, public transport in Singapore, prepaid cards in Thailand, membership service in Australia and more. Samsung is continually exploring new features and is looking forward to bringing these to consumers in Malaysia and elsewhere.

In Malaysia, Samsung Pay is currently available for Galaxy S7 and S7 edge, S6 edge+, Note5, Galaxy A5 (2017 and 2016) and A7 (2017 and 2016).

¹ Applicable card type varies depending upon issuer. Specific card types for each bank is stated in table below.

² PoS acceptance rate of Samsung Pay amongst local merchants, calculated based on prioritised top frequented merchants and brand names at the time of its Malaysian launch.

³ Subject to respective banks’ product availability.

In line with the Thai government’s national e-payment strategy, Samsung Pay staged its official launch today in the presence of its partners from both government and private sectors. Leading financial institutes and merchants were also in attendance to demonstrate that Samsung Pay is simple, secure and almost anywhere.

Since its early access release in the Thai market in October 2016, consumers in Thailand have warmly welcomed Samsung Pay. Samsung is excited to announce its official country-wide expansion, bringing Samsung Pay to many more Thai consumers.

“More than three months ago, we introduced Samsung Pay early access to the Thai market, giving people a mobile payment solution that is simple, secure and almost anywhere,” said Wichai Pornpratang, Vice President of IT and Mobile Communications at Thai Samsung Electronics. “During this pivotal phase, Samsung Pay has aligned with many notable partners. From the financial sector are MasterCard, Visa, KCC, Bangkok Bank, Citibank, KasikornBank, KTC and Siam Commercial Bank. Department stores and shops across Thailand have also supported Samsung Pay.Aside from compatible credit cards, the Galaxy Gift Prepaid Card by MasterCard, as well as a wide variety of distinguished membership cards, can be added to Samsung Pay for convenience upon checkout. As a result, Samsung Pay services have won a warm welcome from consumers. Thais have recognized it as a convenient and safe mode of payment. With Samsung Pay, they don’t need to carry cash or credit cards, minimizing their risk of theft. Moreover, we hope that Samsung Pay will play a big role in transforming Thailand in line with its national e-payment strategy. Our innovation will revolutionize Thais’ way of spending and usher them towards a cashless society.”

“We are very excited to be introducing Samsung Pay to the Thai market, as we strive to continue to deliver a robust payment platform and digital wallet to consumers around the world,” said Thomas Ko, Vice President of Samsung Pay. “As we did in other markets, we have taken a customized approach with our launch in Thailand, working with key partners to make quick and secure mobile payments a reality. We look forward to making our Thai consumers’ everyday lives as simple, convenient and seamless as possible through the introduction of Samsung Pay.”

Samsung Pay, an innovative mobile payment service, boasts three strengths:

1. Simple – Following registration, users can easily choose a payment card from their smartphone, use their fingerprint to validate their identity and tap their device on a payment terminal. Making a payment is as easy as that.

2. Secure – Tokenization is in place to protect users’ credit-card data, with digital identifiers or “tokens” generated to replace sensitive payment information for every Samsung Pay transaction. Additional security is provided through fingerprint authentication and Samsung Knox, which protects the device at both the hardware and software levels.

3. Almost Anywhere – Because Samsung Pay is compatible with MST (Magnetic Secure Transmission) technology – the most widely-used credit card payment technology in Thailand – as well as NFC (Near Field Communication), any place of business that accepts credit card payments can also accept Samsung Pay. Users can add up to 10 payment cards to their Samsung Pay account. They can continue to enjoy the privileges and benefits their cards offer, without having to carry them around.

Including Thailand, ten markets around the world can now benefit from the simplicity, security and convenience of Samsung Pay. The service has successfully continued its expansion into Asia, with additional launches in Korea, China and Singapore, as well as Australia. With broader availability throughout the region, Samsung aims to continue delivering a robust payment platform and digital wallet to consumers around the world.

* Availability almost anywhere is based on compatibility of Samsung Pay on MST and/or NFC payment terminals, with some supported for use only after software upgrades. Samsung Pay is exclusive to selected Samsung Galaxy smartphones only, and available across all participating payment networks, banks, and merchants. Availability may vary, please visit http://www.samsung.com/samsungpay/ to learn more.

** Samsung Pay is compatible with select cards, Samsung devices, and leading wireless providers. Visit http://www.samsung.com/samsungpay/ to learn more. Some card reader terminals may require software updates to be compatible with Samsung Pay.

With the new partnership, Samsung Pay is now available with seven major banks including Alfa Bank JSC, VTB 24 OJSC, MTS OJSC, Reiffeisen Bank JSC, Russian Standard Bank JSC and Yandex LLC.

To use Samsung Pay, customers simply need to open the Samsung Pay app and tap their compatible* Samsung device against the NFC or MST reader to make a payment.

Mr. Arkadiy Graf, Head of Samsung Mobile Russia, said, “Since September 28, Samsung Pay has provided our Russian users with a simple and secure payment method that can be used almost anywhere they can swipe or tap their payment cards. We’re delighted to announce the availability of Samsung Pay for Sberbank customers. With this partnership, Samsung Pay now covers 65 percent of all private bank accounts in Russia and 80 percent of the country’s urban population.”

Mr. Alexander Torbakhov, Deputy Chairman of the Sberbank Board, said: “Very soon credit cards will become a relic of the past. Smartphones and smart watches, that let users pay for purchases quickly and safely are to replace cards. Now Sberbank customers can use a convenient Samsung Pay service and make payments with a single touch of the smartphone, almost anywhere payment cards are accepted.”

More Than a Payment Service

A secure and easy-to-use mobile payment service, Samsung Pay can be used to make purchases almost anywhere that credit, debit and prepaid cards are accepted.

• SIMPLE: To make a payment on Samsung Pay, users can simply swipe up on their eligible Galaxy smartphone, scan their fingerprint and pay.
• SECURE: Samsung Pay uses three levels of security to enable secure payments – fingerprint authentication, tokenization and Samsung Knox, Samsung’s defense-grade mobile security platform.
• ALMOST ANYWHERE: Samsung Pay is compatible with the majority of existing and new terminals, allowing users to pay almost anywhere you can swipe or tap your card.

No fees are charged by Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. from any Samsung Pay users, emitting banks, acquirer banks and trading companies.

* Compatible Samsung devices currently include the Samsung Galaxy S7 and S7 edge, S6 edge+, Galaxy Note5, Galaxy A5 (2016) and A7 (2016). Samsung Pay availability with NFC payments will also be extended to additional devices including the Samsung Galaxy S6 and S6 edge.

Sberbank OJSC

Sberbank is the largest bank in Russia and one of the leading global financial institutions. Sberbank accounts for around one-third of Russian banking sector assets. Sberbank is a key creditor for the national economy and has the biggest share on the deposit market. The Central Bank of the Russian Federation is the founder and a principal shareholder of Sberbank OJSC. It owns 50% of its registered capital plus a voting share. The remaining 50% of the bank’s shares belong to Russian and global investors. Over 135 million people and 4 million companies in 20 countries are Sberbank clients. The bank has the largest network in Russia, consisting of around 17,000 offices and business units. The bank’s foreign network consists of subsidiary banks, branches and representative offices in the UK, USA, Central and Eastern Europe, India, China, Turkey and more.

“Since its launch a year ago, Samsung Pay has redefined what consumers can expect from a digital wallet,” said Nana Murugesan, VP/GM of Service and New Business at Samsung Electronics America. “Samsung Pay has led the way for mobile payments in the U.S. by providing our customers innovative services they can use almost anywhere they shop. Our impressive growth shows that we are closer than ever to a world without wallets. We are excited to roll out more services and features that will allow the user experience and build enthusiasm for a safer, smarter and better digital wallet.”

Driving Toward a Full Digital Wallet Experience

Samsung Pay continues to add features and services to make it a holistic digital wallet that extends beyond debit and credit cards. In partnership with Quotient Technology Inc. [NYSE: QUOT] formerly Coupons.com Incorporated, a leading digital promotions platform, Samsung Pay offers users the ability to search, save and redeem coupons at select retailers directly within the app.

At any time, users can upload a membership or loyalty card from select retailers within Quotient’s partner network; including many of their favorite grocery, drug, dollar and other retailers. Users then view hundreds of offers and save the coupons they’d like to use, and, because the coupons are linked to a membership account, the savings will automatically be applied when they check-out with Samsung Pay.

With Samsung Pay, users can redeem gift cards from hundreds of the nation’s largest retailers, as well as earn rewards through merchants’ membership programs. As part of today’s feature announcement, Samsung Pay now also offers users with a convenient cloud storage feature to restore membership, gift, and Samsung Reward cards whenever they sign into a new device.

Growing Partnership Ecosystem

When Samsung Pay launched in the U.S. a year ago, it supported cards from four banks. Today, Samsung Pay works with over 500 banks nationwide covering over 80 percent of all debit and credit cards in the U.S. Samsung Pay continues to add banking and merchant partners in order to bring the simple, secure digital wallet experience to more customers across the country.*

Celebrating Samsung Pay’s First Birthday

To mark its one-year anniversary, Samsung Pay is offering users over $100,000 in prizes on 9/28. As part of the celebration, 365 lucky winners will receive a Gear S2, which now works with Samsung Pay. Currently in beta, Samsung Pay on Gear S2 works using Near Field Communication (NFC) technology allowing users to make a payment at any NFC terminal. Full entry details and rules can be found here: http://samsungpaybirthday.dja.com.

More Than a Payment Service

Samsung Pay, a secure and easy-to-use mobile payment service, can be used to make purchases nearly everywhere cards are accepted.

• SIMPLE: To make a payment on Samsung Pay, users can simply swipe up on their eligible Galaxy smartphone, scan their fingerprint and pay.
• SECURE: Samsung Pay uses three levels of security to enable secure payments: fingerprint or iris-scanning authentication, tokenization and Samsung Knox, Samsung’s defense-grade mobile security platform.
• ALMOST ANYWHERE: Samsung Pay is compatible with the majority of existing and new terminals, allowing users to pay almost anywhere you can swipe or tap your card.
  Samsung Pay is currently available on select Galaxy devices including the Galaxy S7 and Galaxy S7 edge, Galaxy S7 active, Galaxy S6 edge+, Galaxy S6 edge, Galaxy S6, Galaxy S6 active, Galaxy Note7 and Galaxy Note5.

About Samsung Pay

Samsung Pay, a mobile payment service from Samsung Electronics, is simple, safe and available almost anywhere you can swipe or tap your card. Combining NFC with Samsung’s proprietary MST technologies, Samsung Pay provides consumers a way to pay almost anywhere you can swipe or tap a card at millions of merchant locations. Samsung continues to strategically expand its partnership ecosystem for Samsung Pay to provide greater flexibility, access, and choice for customers while enabling an easy and safe payment experience.

Source: Samsung Newsroom US

Secure and easy to use, Samsung Pay can be used to make purchases almost anywhere¹ that debit cards or credit cards are accepted. Samsung Pay allows users to pay with their compatible Samsung smartphones at point of sale terminals, thanks to both MST (Magnetic Secure Transmission) and NFC technologies.

Brazil joins South Korea, the United States, China, Spain, Singapore, Australia and Puerto Rico in the list of priority markets to launch the mobile payment service.

According to research conducted by FEBRABAN (the Federation of Brazilian Banks), mobile banking usage is on the rise in Brazil. In fact, it increased by 138 percent in 2015 with more than 11 billion bank transactions through smartphones, compared to 4.7 billion transactions in 2014.

“Samsung Pay reinforces the company’s focus to bring value to both consumers and partners by bringing innovative services to your smartphones,” said Thomas Ko, Vice President and Global Co-General Manager of Samsung Pay at Samsung Electronics. “We are always exploring creative technologies and use cases to provide consumers with an immersive and holistic mobile wallet experience.”

“We are extremely excited that Samsung Pay is now available in Brazil. As the first market in South America to roll out our mobile payment service, Brazil will pave the way for the region’s adoption of Samsung Pay,” said André Varga, Product Director of Samsung’s Mobile Devices Division in Brazil.

Extensive Partnership Ecosystem

Samsung Pay is strategically expanding its partnership ecosystem to provide greater flexibility, access and choice for customers. Samsung Pay has partnered with major payment networks such as MasterCard and Visa to bring mobile payments to consumers. The service will launch with major issuers including Banco do Brasil, Brasil Pré-Pagos, Caixa, Porto Seguro, and Santander. Additionally, we are working with other bank partners including Banrisul, Bradesco, Nubank and Itaú-Unibanco, to make the service available to more consumers in Brazil. The list of partners eligible to offer this service is available on the website http://www.samsung.com.br/samsungpay.

More Than a Payment

A secure and easy-to-use mobile payment service, Samsung Pay can be used to make purchases almost anywhere that cards are accepted.

• SIMPLE: To make a payment on Samsung Pay, consumers simply need to swipe up on their compatible Samsung smartphone, scan their fingerprint and make a payment. It’s that easy!
• SECURE: Samsung Pay uses three levels of security to enable secure payments – fingerprint authentication, tokenization and Samsung KNOX.
• ALMOST ANYWHERE: Samsung Pay will be compatible with a majority of existing and new payment terminals, allowing users to pay with their compatible Samsung smartphone anywhere that allows payment by swiping or tapping a card with MST and NFC.

Samsung Pay will be available on the Galaxy S7, Galaxy S7 edge, Galaxy A5 (2016), Galaxy A7 (2016), Galaxy Note5, Galaxy S6 edge+, Galaxy S6² and Galaxy S6 edge² beginning on July 19 in Brazil.

About Samsung Pay

Samsung Pay, a mobile payment service from Samsung Electronics, is simple, safe and works almost anywhere³ you can swipe or tap your card. Combining NFC with Samsung’s proprietary MST technologies, Samsung Pay provides consumers a way to pay almost anywhere you can swipe or tap a card at millions of merchant locations. Samsung continues to strategically expand its partnership ecosystem for Samsung Pay to provide greater flexibility, access, and choice for customers while enabling an easy and safe payment experience. Samsung Pay is compatible with select cards and Samsung devices, and leading wireless providers. Please visit www.samsung.com/pay to learn more.

¹Availability almost anywhere is based on compatibility of Samsung Pay on MST and/or NFC payment terminals, with some supported for use only after software upgrades. Samsung Pay is exclusive to selected Samsung Galaxy smartphones only, and available across all participating payment networks, banks, and merchants. Availability may vary, please check for updates.

²Only with NFC ; MST is not supported.

³Some card reader terminals may require software updates to be compatible with Samsung Pay.

Samsung Electronics announced the launch of Samsung pay in the Ibirapuera Auditorium, Sao Paulo, Brazil.

(From left to right) Changhoon Yoon, VP of Samsung Brazil, Brazilian actor Rodrigo Santoro and Jeonghwan Kim President and CEO of Samsung Latin America.

Attandees checks out the Samsung Pay during the launching event in the Ibirapuera Auditorium, Sao Paulo, Brazil.

Samsung Electronics announced today that Samsung Pay, the most widely accepted mobile payment system, successfully launched in three new countries, across three continents in three weeks, including:

• Spain, the first market to launch in Europe;
• Singapore, the first within the South East Asian region; and
• Australia, the first market to launch within the Oceania region.

The launch marks a significant milestone in the service’s global expansion, with a number of additional markets, including Brazil, Canada and the U.K., planned this year.

“Samsung Pay’s momentum is bringing us closer than ever to a world without wallets,” said Injong Rhee, CTO and EVP of Software and Services, Mobile Communications Business at Samsung Electronics. “Consumers are seeking convenience, security and ease of use in a mobile payment solution, and these latest launches show how Samsung Pay is providing an even faster and easier experience to a broader base of global users.”

Growing Ecosystem and Adoption

Samsung Pay is fueling strong consumer adoption and a growing partner ecosystem. The service has processed more than $1 billion in transactions in South Korea since its launch less than a year ago, demonstrating the increased adoption and showcasing its position as a preferred service for making secure, convenient payments.*

Also since launching in the U.S. in September 2015 with four banks and support for credit, debit and private label credit card payments, Samsung Pay is now supported by 300 major and regional banks and credit unions. Value-added services such as gift cards, and membership and loyalty features have been added as well with more than 110 merchants joining Samsung Pay’s Gift Card program and more than 140 retailers participating in its membership and loyalty cards program.

More Than a Payment Service

Building on its extensive ecosystem, Samsung recently announced partnerships with both Citi for Asia Pacific and Ant Financial Services Group, parent company of Alipay, in China that further bolster Samsung Pay’s compatibility with payment networks and banks, and provide choice and flexibility to its users.

Samsung Pay, a secure and easy-to-use mobile payment service, can be used to make purchases almost anywhere cards are accepted.

• SIMPLE: To make a payment on Samsung Pay, users simply swipe up on their eligible Galaxy smartphone, scan their fingerprint and pay.
• SECURE: Samsung Pay uses three levels of security to enable secure payments: fingerprint authentication, tokenization and Samsung KNOX, Samsung’s defense-grade mobile security platform.
• ALMOST ANYWHERE**: Samsung Pay provides wider acceptance by leveraging both Magnetic Secure Transmission (MST) and Near Field Communication (NFC) technology, which allow users to pay almost anywhere a card can be swiped or tapped.

Additionally, Samsung Pay continues to evolve and expand its services beyond payments, now offering U.S. users gift card, membership and loyalty card support. This gives them easy and direct access to receive savings, rewards and other applicable offers all from their Galaxy smartphone. Users in other global markets can soon expect to see additional value-added services that enable them to make more than just payments in their respective regions.

Samsung Pay is currently available on select Galaxy devices including the new Galaxy S7 and S7 edge, S6 edge+, Note5 as well as premium and mid-range options like the 2016 models of the Galaxy A5, A7 and A9.***

* Samsung Pay launched in August 2015 in South Korea and in September 2015 in the U.S. market.

** Availability almost anywhere is based on compatibility of Samsung Pay on MST and/or NFC payment terminals, with some supported for use only after software upgrades. Samsung Pay will be available soon for Galaxy S6 and S6 edge on the Telstra network. Samsung Pay is exclusive to selected Samsung Galaxy smartphones only, and available across all participating payment networks, banks, and merchants. Availability may vary, please check for updates.

*** Availability may vary by country and region.

Australia and Singapore Credit Cardmembers of Citibank, Citi’s global consumer banking business, will have the option to make payments across Australia and Singapore using their compatible Samsung mobile phones. The partnership marks a new addition to Samsung Pay’s extensive portfolio of major payment networks and banks, to provide greater flexibility, access and choice for customers in Australia and Singapore. Additional markets will be added to the network in the coming months. Citi Korea launched Samsung Pay in August 2015 and the service was launched by Citi in the U.S. in November 2015.

“We’re seeing significant global growth for Samsung Pay, and view our expanded partnership with Citi as a key to that continued momentum. With Citi, we’re extending Samsung Pay’s reach into Southeast Asia, giving cardholders an easier and safer mobile payment experience,” said Injong Rhee, CTO and EVP of Software and Services, Mobile Communications Business at Samsung Electronics.

“We are delighted to work with Samsung Electronics to offer our credit card customers a faster and easier way of making payments using Samsung Pay. Our value propositions are already best in each category and through this partnership, we bring added convenience to our credit card customers who can now simply use their mobile phones to tap and pay for their purchases. At Citi, we continue to prioritize our efforts to make banking easier for our customers by leveraging digitization and innovation. Samsung Pay is one of the many exciting digital solutions that we are progressively introducing to our customers to offer them a differentiated experience that only a Citibank credit card customer can get to enjoy” said Sergio Zanatti, Head of Cards & Unsecured Loans for Citi in Asia Pacific.

Samsung Pay continues to grow its partnership ecosystem with partners like Citi , to provide consumers with a mobile payment solution that is simple, safe and widely accessible. Samsung Pay can be used to make purchases nearly everywhere cards are accepted.

• SIMPLE: To make a payment on Samsung Pay, users can simply swipe up, scan their fingerprint and pay.
• SAFE: Samsung Pay uses three levels of security to enable secure payments – Fingerprint Authentication, tokenization and Samsung KNOX.
• ALMOST ANYWHERE**: Samsung Pay is compatible with the majority of existing and new terminals, allowing users to pay almost anywhere you can swipe or tap your card.

About Samsung Pay

Samsung Pay, a mobile payment service from Samsung Electronics, is simple, safe and works almost anywhere you can swipe or tap your card. Combining NFC with Samsung’s proprietary MST technologies, Samsung Pay provides consumers a way to pay almost anywhere you can swipe or tap a card at millions of merchant locations**. Samsung continues to strategically expand its partnership ecosystem for Samsung Pay to provide greater flexibility, access, and choice for customers while enabling an easy and safe payment experience. Samsung Pay is compatible with select cards and Samsung devices, and leading wireless providers. Visit www.samsung.com/pay to learn more.

* Availability may vary by country and region.

** Some card reader terminals may require software updates to be compatible with Samsung Pay.

Samsung Electronics Singapore today announced that it will be the first in Southeast Asia to make Samsung Pay available beginning on June 16. Secure and easy-to-use, Samsung Pay can be used to make purchases almost anywhere¹ that debit cards or credit cards are accepted. In fact, Samsung Pay is the only mobile wallet that allows users to pay with their compatible Samsung smartphones at terminals that accept contactless payment as well as those that do not accept contactless payment.

“Since the introduction of Samsung Pay last year, we have seen great momentum and experienced significant consumer adoption. Samsung Pay has redefined the way consumers pay and use their smartphones,” said Thomas Ko, Vice President and Global Co-General Manager of Samsung Pay at Samsung Electronics. “We are excited to bring this service to Singapore consumers and we hope to introduce value-added services to drive and lead innovation in mobile commerce, giving consumers a safer, smarter and better mobile wallet.”

“We are extremely excited that Samsung Pay is now available in Singapore. As the first market in Southeast Asia to roll out our mobile payment service, Singapore will pave the way for the region’s adoption of Samsung Pay,” said Stephen Suh, President, Samsung Electronics Singapore.

Added Mr. Suh: “We have established extensive partnerships with card networks, issuers and merchants for Samsung Pay to be readily available almost anywhere for consumers in Singapore, so that everyone can have the opportunity to enjoy the simplicity, safety and convenience of the mobile payment service. By supporting both contactless and non contactless payment, we are confident that this benefit will help to drive consumer adoption for Samsung Pay. What’s more, you can transact any value on Samsung Pay², up to the amount of your credit card limit.”

Comprehensive Ecosystem

Partner Ecosystem

Samsung Pay is continually expanding its partnership ecosystem to provide greater flexibility, access and choice for customers in Singapore. Currently, Samsung Pay has partnered with major payment networks such as American Express³, MasterCard and Visa, and major banks such as Citibank, DBS/POSB, OCBC Bank and Standard Chartered.

Additionally, Samsung and Singtel will be exploring potential collaborations in the mobile payment space.

Merchant Ecosystem

At launch, Samsung Pay will be accepted at the vast majority of merchants, wherever MasterCard or Visa is accepted, and is not limited to merchants that have updated to contactless terminals. Singapore consumers will be able to use Samsung Pay at their favorite popular chains, as well as thousands of independent shops.  For merchants that have not yet updated to contactless terminals, Samsung Pay’s proprietary MST (Magnetic Secure Transmission) technology enables contactless payment on existing merchant terminals.

As part of Samsung’s efforts to provide a seamless experience for Samsung Pay customers from the first time they try Samsung Pay, Samsung has been actively engaging selected merchants, providing training to their cashiers and point of sale acceptance marks. Samsung Pay will feature close to 40 preferred merchants at launch. From launch, customers will immediately be able to utilize Samsung Pay at most merchants⁴ within the following categories:

• Supermarkets and Convenience Stores
• Departmental Stores
• Healthcare and Beauty Outlets
• Food and Beverage Outlets
• Fashion and Lifestyle Outlets
• Electronics and Furnishing Stores
• Travel and Entertainment

More Than a Payment Service

A secure and easy-to-use mobile payment service, Samsung Pay can be used to make purchases almost anywhere that credit and debit cards are accepted.

• SIMPLE: With Samsung Pay, every transaction is made super easy. You simply need to swipe up to bring up the last transacted credit or debit card, scan your fingerprint or key in your PIN and make payment.

• SAFE: With each separate transaction, Samsung Pay uses an encrypted digital token to replace sensitive card information to prevent fraud. Your payment information is better protected than ever before. Transactions made on Samsung Pay require registered fingerprint or PIN for authorization, so you are in control when each payment is made. The encrypted fingerprint information is stored in a separate, secure area of your device. Samsung’s industry-leading KNOX security platform, which received the most “Strong” ratings of any mobile security platform for Corporate Managed Security⁵, provides real-time kernel protection and monitors malicious software and activities on your device for added security.

• ALMOST ANYWHERE¹: Samsung Pay is accepted almost anywhere you can swipe or tap your credit or debit card. By incorporating Samsung’s proprietary MST technology, together with NFC (Near Field Communication), Samsung Pay will be compatible with the majority of existing and new payment terminals, allowing users to pay with their compatible Samsung smartphone almost anywhere. Thanks to MST, Singapore users can also use Samsung Pay for transactions above $100.

The Galaxy Experience

Samsung Pay is an example of how Samsung continues to push the boundaries of hardware, software and services to create devices that are designed to improve how consumers connect, share, organize and get more out of life. The company is redefining what is possible, beyond the limits of today’s technology, by introducing a constellation of seamless mobile experiences to bring added flexibility and convenience to consumers’ lives.

Samsung Pay will be available on the Samsung Galaxy Note 5 4G+, S6 edge+ 4G+, S7 4G+ and S7 edge 4G+ beginning on June 16 in Singapore.

1 Availability almost anywhere is based on compatibility of Samsung Pay on MST and/or NFC payment terminals, with some supported for use only after software upgrades. Samsung Pay is exclusive to selected Samsung Galaxy smartphones only, and available across all participating payment networks, banks, and merchants. Availability may vary, please check for updates.

2 Most NFC terminals currently accept payments up to $100, while there is no limit on payment transactions via MST terminals (subject to a cardholder’s credit card limit).

3 Coming soon

4 Subject to changes

5 “Mobile Device Security: A Comparison of Platforms”, Gartner, Inc. (6 April 2016)

“Our goal with Samsung Pay is to drive and lead innovation in mobile commerce, giving consumers a safer, smarter and better mobile wallet,” said Victor Kim, Global Director, Samsung Pay. “Samsung operates an open model of partnership and collaboration to deliver the best possible customer experience. With Samsung Pay, we’re confident that we’re providing Spanish customers with the mobile payments service that they’re looking for.”

“We are proud that Spain is the first European market to introduce Samsung Pay, an innovative new service that we believe will mark a turning point both in Spaniards’ payments behaviour and the evolution of the payments market as a whole,” commented Celestino García, Corporate Vice President, Samsung Spain. “The opportunity for Samsung Pay in Spain is significant, due to the high smartphone penetration rate and the digitalisation of the banking sector. Moreover, according to recent research[1] commissioned by Samsung, nearly six in 10 Spaniards are interested in incorporating a secure, simple and widely accepted payments service like Samsung Pay into their lives.”

Samsung Pay offers a number of benefits:

• SECURE. Samsung Pay uses three different levels to guarantee payment security: fingerprint identification; tokenization to encrypt card credentials; and Samsung KNOX, Samsung’s defense-grade mobile security platform.

• SIMPLE. To make a payment with Samsung Pay, users simply swipe their finger up the screen on a smartphone that is compatible with the service, scan their fingerprint and pay.

• ALMOST ANYWHERE. Samsung Pay enables consumers to pay in any location where purchases can be made using a contactless credit or debit card.

NFC-enabled, Samsung Pay-ready devices include the Samsung Galaxy S7, S7 edge, S6, S6 edge and S6 edge+, with specific availability varying by local operator. The Galaxy A5 2016 will also support Samsung Pay in the coming weeks.

Samsung Pay is the Mobile Payments Service Spaniards Have Been Waiting for

New research conducted by Ipsos[2] for Samsung Spain found that half of Spaniards aged between 35 and 65 carry more than two debit or credit cards in their wallets. According to the survey:

• 64 percent of consumers use credit or debit cards for all or most of their purchases;
• This figure rises to 71 percent among people aged between 35 and 44; and
• In order to enjoy even greater convenience and efficiency when shopping, 58 percent of Spaniards would like to use a secure, simple and widely accepted mobile payments solution.

Samsung Pay meets these requirements, offering three layers of security, ease-of-use and the option to pay at any location with a contactless point-of-sale (POS) terminal. Using the service does not incur an additional cost for users or businesses, as they simply need an NFC-compatible POS terminal. Users can also add up to 10 cards to the Samsung Pay application, without incurring additional charges from their banks.

With regards to mobile security, 90 percent of respondents surveyed were concerned about losing their device and someone accessing their card data. In order to deliver maximum security, Samsung Pay includes fingerprint identification, which guarantees that if your mobile phone is lost or stolen, no one will be able to access your payments information.

Extensive Ecosystem

Samsung Pay already has a strong alliance of partners and supports eligible credit and debit cards from more than 200 major global and regional banks. In addition, Samsung Pay is compatible with payments networks, including American Express, China UnionPay, MasterCard, Visa Inc. and China’s leading third-party payments platform, Alipay.

The service is already available for customers of CaixaBank and imaginBank, which will be the first in Spain and Europe to benefit from Samsung Pay.  After the launch of the service beginning today, users can download their CaixaBank and imaginBank debit or credit cards on their smartphones in order to make payments.

Samsung Pay will be available for Abanca and Banco Sabadell customers soon.

Samsung Pay is compatible with all stores that already have contactless terminals and the company is working closely with leading businesses from retail, food and service stations and parking services sectors to create value-added services for their customers. This includes well-known brands like Cepsa, Cervecería La Sureña, Domino’s Pizza,  El Corte Inglés, Fridays, Ginos, Grupo DIA, MediaMarkt, Mercadona, Phone House, Repsol, Rodilla, Saba, Starbucks, The Good Burger, The Wok, VIPS, VIPSmart, 100 Montaditos, with more to follow in due course.

In particular, El Corte Inglés will become the first issuer of private cards in Spain to offer its customers the opportunity to join and pay via Samsung Pay.

Samsung collaborates as a technology partner with the Museo Nacional del Prado’s Sponsorship Program and customers will also be able to use Samsung Pay at this renowned cultural institution.

Additionally, Samsung has organized an event with the Madrid Chamber of Commerce and Industry to involve SMEs and smaller retailers in the local body’s new payment methods initiatives. On May 18, an Interact Session was held in Madrid, where Samsung illustrated the use cases and benefits of Samsung Pay, as well as the customer loyalty and retention opportunities that the platform offers.

“The Spanish market’s progressive approach to digital payments makes it a logical launch market for Samsung Pay,” added Nathalie Oestmann, Director, Samsung Pay Europe. “We believe that the comprehensive support from telecom service providers; networks and processors; and banks and merchants, will help to accelerate mobile payments adoption across Spain.”

[1] The survey on mobile payments in Spain was conducted online between 22 and 27 January 2016, among a nationally representative, gender-equal sample of 1,000 respondents aged between 18 and 65.

[2] The survey on mobile payments in Spain was conducted online between 22 and 27 January 2016, among a nationally representative, gender-equal sample of 1,000 respondents aged between 18 and 65.

Samsung Electronics Singapore today announced its partnership with Citibank Singapore Limited for Samsung Pay, the secure and easy-to-use mobile payment service that can be used to make purchases almost anywhere¹. Upon the service’s launch in Singapore, Citibank credit cardmembers will have the option to make payments across Singapore using their compatible Samsung mobile phones². The partnership marks a new addition to Samsung Pay’s extensive portfolio of major payment networks and banks, to provide greater flexibility, access and choice for customers in Singapore.

“We are very pleased and excited to have Citibank come onboard as our latest partner for Samsung Pay in Singapore,” said Eugene Goh, Vice President, IT & Mobile, Samsung Electronics Singapore. “The partnership with Citibank, alongside our ecosystem of partners across payment networks, banks, retailers and merchants, assures customers that they will be able to enjoy the full benefits of using Samsung Pay almost anywhere in Singapore.”

Mr John Denhof, Head of Cards and Personal Loans at Citibank Singapore Limited, said, “We are delighted to work with Samsung Electronics to offer our credit card customers a faster and easier way of making payments using Samsung Pay. Our value propositions are already best in each category and through this partnership, we bring added convenience to our credit card customers who can now simply use their mobile phones to tap and pay for their purchases. At Citibank, we continue to prioritize our efforts to make banking easier for our customers by leveraging digitization and innovation. Samsung Pay is just one of the many exciting digital solutions that we are progressively introducing to our customers to offer them a differentiated experience that only a Citibank credit card customer can get to enjoy.”

The partnership between Citibank and Samsung Pay is a win-win collaboration for both parties. Samsung will be able to leverage on Citibank’s extensive customer base and merchant network to promote greater adoption and usage of digital payments in the country while Citibank’s credit cardmembers using compatible Samsung phones will enjoy greater convenience in the payment process. With their digital wallets, Citibank customers, who are increasingly digitally-savvy, will truly benefit from being able to pay on the go, wherever they are, and whenever they want.

Samsung Pay Beta Test Program

Ahead of its launch in Q2 2016, a select group of consumers has been invited to register their participation in the beta testing for Samsung Pay. They will be among the first to preview the company’s flagship mobile payment service in Singapore. Response from consumers is encouraging, with thousands who have signed up. Registration has now closed and eligible consumers will be notified progressively ahead of the Samsung Pay Beta Test Program.

Samsung Pay will be available to users of the Samsung Galaxy Note 5 4G+, S6 edge+ 4G+, S7 4G+ and S7 edge 4G+ in Singapore.

More Than a Payment Service

A secure and easy-to-use mobile payment service, Samsung Pay can be used to make purchases almost anywhere¹ that credit and debit cards are accepted.

• SIMPLE: With Samsung Pay, every transaction is made super easy. You simply need to swipe up to bring up the last transacted credit or debit card, scan your fingerprint or key in your PIN and make payment.

• SAFE: With each separate transaction, Samsung Pay uses an encrypted digital token to replace sensitive card information to prevent fraud. Your payment information is better protected than ever before. Transactions made on Samsung Pay require registered fingerprint or PIN for authorization, so you are in control when each payment is made. The encrypted fingerprint information is stored in a separate, secure area of your device. Samsung’s industry-leading KNOX security platform, which received the most “Strong” ratings of any mobile security platform for Corporate Managed Security³, provides real-time kernel protection and monitors malicious software and activities on your device for added security.

• ALMOST ANYWHERE¹: Samsung Pay is accepted almost anywhere you can swipe or tap your credit or debit card. By incorporating Samsung’s proprietary Magnetic Secure Transmission (MST) technology, together with Near Field Communication (NFC), Samsung Pay will be compatible with the majority of existing and new payment terminals, allowing users to pay with their compatible Samsung smartphone almost anywhere.

[1] Availability almost anywhere is based on compatibility of Samsung Pay on MST and/or NFC payment terminals, with some supported for use only after software upgrades. Samsung Pay is exclusive to selected Samsung Galaxy smartphones only, and available across all participating payment networks, banks, and merchants. Availability may vary, please check for updates.

[2] Samsung Pay will be available on the Samsung Galaxy Note 5 4G+, S6 edge+ 4G+, S7 4G+ and S7 edge 4G+ at launch.

[3] “Mobile Device Security: A Comparison of Platforms”, Gartner, Inc. (6 April 2016)

About Citi

Citi, the leading global bank, has approximately 200 million customer accounts and does business in more than 160 countries and jurisdictions. Citi provides consumers, corporations, governments and institutions with a broad range of financial products and services, including consumer banking and credit, corporate and investment banking, securities brokerage, transaction services, and wealth management.

With a robust and easy-to-use API system, Samsung Checkout on TV promises to bring a whole new world for developers. Using this native billing option, Samsung aims to help make TV app markets more dynamic and fruitful, just as mobile and online payment systems have already transformed transactions for consumers.

As the world’s No. 1 TV maker for the past 10 years, Samsung has sold more than 427 million TVs worldwide over the past decade. The fact that it has the largest base of TVs installed puts Samsung in a great position for this new era in TV. Samsung Checkout works on all Smart TVs from 2014 to 2016, and 2013 models will also be supported by the end of this year.

For developers, this represents a huge opportunity. Without having to rely on a complicated, totally separate billing system, they can offer paid features right from Samsung Smart TVs. For consumers, being able to purchase goods, apps and services directly from their TVs could be a vastly richer experience, bringing together many aspects of life together in one easy package. Now, when viewers see something they like – whether it be extra content, offers in a game, etc. – they don’t have to hunt around for their mobile phone or haul out their computer to make a purchase; they can buy it right away, right from their TV screen.

What Is Samsung Checkout on TV?

Samsung Checkout on TV is a payment system specially created for the TV experience. Available in 53 countries and still growing, Samsung Checkout has a simple management system for items and transactions, as well as handling payments, settlements, etc. It can handle a wide range of payment methods, including credit cards, and depending on the region, mobile carriers and PayPal as well.

How It Works

Samsung Checkout is a fast and simple two-step system designed to work with the TV remote control. Once consumers register their credit card, they just need to click “Pay Now” to buy an item, then enter a four-digital PIN.

Samsung Checkout on TV: When you use your credit card.

And what can consumers actually buy? There are in-app purchases, paid apps and subscriptions. In addition, Samsung Checkout can be used for promotional tools, like coupons and vouchers, as well as free trial subscriptions.

Already there are more than 50 games consumers can download and more than 500 they can stream, though GameFly and Playstation Now. HBO Now is allows users to sign up for subscription information via Samsung Checkout simply by entering the user’s email address.

How Samsung Checkout on TV Helps Developers

Samsung Checkout is designed to work smoothly with app developers, integrated through REST API and Client API. It can operate with several app types, including web apps, native apps (like G-Player) and Unity. All told, there are six APIs to manage the payment process. One client-level API, BuyItem, to invoke the payment UI on the screen, and five open APIs: Request purchase List, Request Products List, Verify Purchase, Apply Product, and Subscription Cancel.

Protected with Samsung’s Leading Security

Of course, any system that deals with purchases and payments has to be incredibly secure, protecting both the data and consumers’ peace of mind. Samsung Checkout on TV employs Samsung’s Smart TV security solutions including Samsung Secure Keyboard and Samsung Secure Numpad to secure financial information in the payment process.

For more information about Samsung Smart TV SDKs, check out: https://www.samsungdforum.com/

* Samsung account, as well as initial activation, including credit card/PayPal account registration, and other authorization process required for Samsung Checkout on TV.

** Availability of apps, services, promotions and payment methods subject to change without prior notice or obligation.

“I am delighted to have Wells Fargo on board with Samsung Pay and that our users can now enjoy more choices in debit and credit cards,” said Injong Rhee, Head of R&D, Software and Services, Samsung Electronics Mobile Division. “Samsung Pay is gaining its momentum in customer adoption, and we will continue to expand the list of issuers. I look forward to offering many compelling mobile payment services to our joint customers together with Wells Fargo.”

“We are pleased today to announce that Samsung Pay is available for Wells Fargo customers,” said Jim Smith, head of Virtual Channels for Wells Fargo. “Innovations like Samsung Pay further our commitment to giving our customers the ability to make payments anytime and anywhere, including from a mobile wallet.”

Samsung Pay announced last week that about five million registered users processed over 500 million dollars in the first six months, showing a strong adoption rate in South Korea and the U.S.* This also demonstrates the increasing use of Samsung Pay for its convenience, flexibility and security.

Samsung Pay supports all major payment networks and many of the country’s major banks. It continues to expand its partnership ecosystem. Click here for the full list of financial partners that support Samsung Pay.

• SIMPLE: To make a payment on Samsung Pay, users can simply swipe up, scan their fingerprint and pay.
• SAFE: Samsung Pay uses tokenization, Samsung KNOX, and fingerprint authentication to provide secure payments. And, as terminals are upgraded to EMV, that security is leveraged, too.
• ALMOST ANYWHERE**: Samsung Pay is compatible with the majority of existing and new terminals, including most magnetic stripe, EMV and NFC terminals. That means Samsung Pay works at more places than any other mobile payment service.

Samsung Pay launched in August 2015 in South Korea and in September 2015 in the U.S. market.

**Samsung Pay is compatible with select cards, Samsung devices, and leading wireless providers. Visit www.samsung.com/pay to learn more. Some card reader terminals may require software updates to be compatible with Samsung Pay.

Samsung Electronics, announced that Samsung Pay, the most accepted mobile payment service that works at the majority of merchants today, has reached a global milestone – about five million registered users processed over 500 million dollars in the first six months, showing a strong adoption rate in South Korea and the U.S.* This also demonstrates that users continue to increasingly use Samsung Pay in their everyday lives for its convenience, flexibility and security.

“Since its introduction last year, Samsung Pay has changed the way people pay and use their smartphones,” said Injong Rhee, EVP and Head of R&D, Software and Services of Mobile Communications Business at Samsung Electronics. “We’ve already seen significant consumer adoption and we continue to see great momentum. Our aim is to expand Samsung Pay to even more locations around the world, and our customers should expect to see more features in the year to come.”

In 2016, Samsung Pay will start global expansion beginning with China in March, followed by Australia, Brazil, Singapore, Spain and the U.K. later in the year. Additionally, Canada will be added to the new launch roadmap. Samsung Pay is currently available on select Galaxy devices including S6, S6 edge, S6 edge+, Note5 as well as premium and mid-range options such as the 2016 models of both Galaxy A5 and A7**.

Extensive Partnership Ecosystem

Samsung Pay started its service in South Korea and the U.S. last year, and now supports eligible credit and debit cards from more than 70 major and regional banks***.

In addition to mobile payments, Samsung is partnering with BC Card, Hana Card, KB Kookmin Card, Lotte Card, NH Nonghyup Card and Samsung Card to provide a quick and easy online payment service in South Korea. By adding this new service, consumers will be able to use the Samsung Pay Fingerprint Authentication to pay online.

In 2016, Samsung Pay will support four major payment networks, including American Express, China UnionPay, MasterCard, and Visa. Many of the countries’ major banks and partners include Abanca, American Express, Banco do Brasil, Banco Sabadell, Bradesco, Brasil Pre-Pagos, Caixa, CaixaBank, China Construction Bank, China Everbright Bank, China Guangfa Bank, China Minsheng Banking Corp, DBS, El Corte Inglés, HSBC, imaginBank, Industrial and Commercial Bank of China, Itaú Unibanco, MBNA, Nationwide Building Society, Nu Bank, OCBC Bank, Ping An Bank, Porto Seguro, Santander, Standard Chartered Bank and Transport for London (TfL).

Samsung Pay: More Than a Payment

Samsung Pay, a safe and easy-to-use mobile payment service, can be used to make purchases nearly everywhere cards are accepted.

• SIMPLE: To make a payment on Samsung Pay, users can simply swipe up, scan their fingerprint and pay.
• SAFE: Samsung Pay uses three levels of security to enable secure payments – Fingerprint Authentication, tokenization and Samsung KNOX.
• ALMOST ANYWHERE**: Samsung Pay is compatible with the majority of existing and new terminals, allowing users to pay almost anywhere you can swipe or tap your card.

Furthermore, Samsung Pay will expand its enhanced services to more than just credit or debit cards. Users can add transit passes, coupons and membership cards, which will provide more convenient and flexible payment experiences in their everyday lives. **

The Galaxy Experience

Samsung Pay is an example of how Samsung continues to push the boundaries of hardware, software and services to create devices that are designed to improve how consumers connect, share, organize and get more out of life. The company is redefining what is possible, beyond the limits of today’s technology, by introducing a constellation of seamless mobile experiences that will orbit the most beautiful and powerful smartphones ever created.

*Samsung Pay launched in August 2015 in South Korea and in September 2015 in the U.S. market.
**Availability may vary by country and region.
***Visit www.samsung.com/pay for the list of partners that support Samsung Pay.

About Samsung Pay

Samsung Pay, a mobile payment service from Samsung Electronics, is simple, safe and available almost anywhere you can swipe or tap your card. Combining NFC with Samsung’s proprietary MST technologies, Samsung Pay provides consumers a way to pay almost anywhere you can swipe or tap a card at millions of merchant locations. Samsung continues to strategically expand its partnership ecosystem for Samsung Pay to provide greater flexibility, access, and choice for customers while enabling an easy and safe payment experience.

Mobile payments services have been in the news for the past year, with a variety of options vying for public acceptance. One of the most popular so far has been Samsung Pay, which is not only widely accepted and easy-to-use, but also incredibly secure, with several layers of security to ensure its users’ information stays safe. Why is Samsung Pay so secure? Because it protects people at three levels: guarding their private information (tokenization), requiring authentication and constantly monitoring their devices with Samsung KNOX.

Tokenization Keeps Private Information Private

When someone uses Samsung Pay to make a purchase, their card information is not actually shared with the merchant. Instead, Samsung Pay uses “tokenization,” meaning a digital token is created instead for each transaction, turning the card number into a unique identifier through an algorithm. The token is then stored in a secure area or as a separate hardware component (depending on the region).

By keeping people’s information out of the purchase process, this takes away the potential for their personal data to be picked up and used by outside parties. It’s a simple idea that means a major increase in the safety in the payment system.

User Authentication Ensures Control

Another important part of maintaining Samsung Pay security is the user authentication process. All transactions also require that the user confirm the purchase, either by a PIN or a fingerprint. Payments must be authorized with the user’s PIN or fingerprint so their mobile device only allows payments with the user’s consent.

Samsung KNOX, the Most Certified Solution

With multiple levels of security right out of the box, down to the hardware level, Samsung KNOX offers unprecedented security for mobile devices. Samsung KNOX constantly monitors devices, scanning for any malware or suspicious activity, providing defense-grade security from the moment a device is first turned on. With its series of security features, Samsung KNOX has the most certifications and authorizations by governments, militaries and enterprises among Android manufacturers, ensuring Samsung Pay is the safest solution possible.

Samsung Pay in the City That Never Sleeps

In addition to security, Samsung Pay is one of the most convenient mobile payments services on the market, combining both Near Field Communications (NFC) and Magnetic Secure Transmission (MST) technologies. MST is particularly useful because it is compatible with the majority of older card readers already in place at most retailers.

A new ad just released by Samsung highlights the advantages MST brings to Samsung Pay, in a commercial featuring the popular comedian Hannibal Buress, New York City’s famous Katz’s Delicatessen and Katz’s real employees and customers.

At 128 years old, Katz’s is famous for doing things the old-fashioned way, from making sandwiches to how it runs its business. They accept credit cards, but only using an older-style card reader. That’s no problem for Samsung Pay, though, which Buress successfully uses to purchase his delicious sandwich. If Samsung Pay is accepted at this famous New York institution, clearly Samsung Pay is here.

Samsung Electronics America announced that Samsung Pay users will have the chance to be treated to an exclusive, special performance and private New Year’s Eve party featuring the platinum-selling recording artist, Usher, in Los Angeles. As part of the promotion, Samsung Pay also launched a nationwide shopping experience at 50 malls where customers can try out and activate the most accepted mobile payment system for a chance to win tickets to the special performance and more.

“This holiday season Samsung Pay wants to give its users the gift of a lifetime: a New Year’s Eve with Usher. Samsung Pay continues to offer its users unparalleled experiences, including this newest opportunity to spend an evening with one of the biggest musicians in the world,” said Nana Murugesan, VP of Strategy and Operations for Samsung Electronics America. “Our mall experience will help even more holiday shoppers breeze through their gift lists with credit cards, debit cards, and gift cards supported by Samsung Pay at the top 50 malls across the US and understand the ease and convenience of the most widely accepted mobile payment system.”

From December 10 through December 21, shoppers who activate Samsung Pay at one of the 50 mall locations across the U.S. will have the chance to win two round-trip tickets to Los Angeles, hotel accommodations and a New Year’s Eve concert and party. The Samsung Pay mall experiences will remain open through January 10 for shoppers to learn about and activate Samsung Pay to earn other rewards, including gift cards to various merchants. Visit www.samsungpromotions.com for more information and all participating mall locations.

This busy holiday season, Samsung is making shopping even easier with Samsung Pay – the most accepted mobile payment system that allows consumers to use an eligible Samsung phone to pay almost anywhere they can swipe or tap a card. Samsung Pay now supports 50 popular merchant gift cards as well as a gift card store that enables users to buy gift cards from supported merchants for themselves, friends and family directly within the Samsung Pay app. Samsung Pay supports many of the country’s major banks and continues to expand its partnership ecosystem. Click here for the full list of financial partners that support Samsung Pay.

• SIMPLE: To make a payment on Samsung Pay, users can simply swipe up, scan their fingerprint and pay.
• SAFE: Samsung Pay uses tokenization, Samsung KNOX, and fingerprint authentication to provide secure payments. And, as terminals are upgraded to EMV, that security is leveraged, too.
• ALMOST ANYWHERE*: Samsung Pay is compatible with most existing and new terminals, including most magnetic stripe, EMV and NFC terminals*. That means Samsung Pay works at more places than any other mobile payment service.

Samsung Electronics announced that Samsung Pay, the most accepted mobile payment system that works at the majority of merchants today, now supports 50 popular merchant gift cards as well as a gift card store that enables users to buy gift cards from supported merchants for themselves, friends and family directly within the Samsung Pay app starting today. Samsung Pay allows you to purchase, store, pay with, and share gift cards right from your Samsung phone.

Samsung Pay supports 50 popular merchant gift cards including Babies“R”Us and Toys“R”Us, Bass Pro Shops®, Domino’s®, eBay, GameStop®, Nike, Regal Entertainment Group and Staples in partnership with Blackhawk Network. More gift card options will be added to Samsung Pay in the coming months. In addition to using these cards in stores across the U.S., Samsung Pay also supports the purchase of select gift cards—for yourself, friends and family—directly within the app itself.

“With the support of 50 major retail gift cards and the launch of the in-app gift card store, Samsung Pay is bringing consumers an easier way to use gift cards ,” said Injong Rhee, EVP of Samsung Electronics, Global Head of Samsung Pay. “People love gift cards, but how many of us have gone to pay for something only to realize we have a gift card sitting around somewhere at home? With Samsung Pay, you can easily carry your gift cards with you everywhere you go and not have to worry about a card going unspent.”

“Another feature that is unique to Samsung Pay is the ability to buy gift cards and gift them to friends within the Samsung Pay app itself. We hope this will provide greater flexibility, access and choice for Samsung Pay customers heading into the holiday season.”

Samsung Pay supports many of the country’s major banks and continues to expand its partnership ecosystem. Click here for the full list of financial partners that support Samsung Pay.

• SIMPLE: To make a payment on Samsung Pay, users can simply swipe up, scan their fingerprint and pay.
• SAFE: Samsung Pay uses tokenization, Samsung KNOX, and fingerprint authentication to provide secure payments. And, as terminals are upgraded to EMV, that security is leveraged, too.
• ALMOST ANYWHERE: Samsung Pay is compatible with the majority of existing and new terminals, including most magnetic stripe, EMV and NFC terminals*. That means Samsung Pay works at more places than any other mobile payment service.

“Although the details on Samsung Pay usage are constantly being updated, the response we’ve received so far has been beyond our expectations,” said Injong Rhee, executive vice president of Samsung Electronics and global head of Samsung Pay. “We knew Samsung Pay would be a game-changer in the mobile payments industry and now with the user data, we are seeing the greater impact it is having on consumer behavior and on the lifestyle of our customers.”

Samsung Pay in South Korea also introduced several value-added services including:

• Payments that support select integrated circuit (IC) readers;
• Online payments using a Samsung Card (credit and debit); and
• Advanced ATM cash withdrawal transactions using a Woori bank account, with
• Transportation services and loyalty card memberships coming soon.

Samsung Pay is scheduled to launch in the United States on Sept. 28, with plans to bring the service to the U.K., Spain and China soon. Samsung Pay is currently available on the Galaxy S6, S6 edge, S6 edge+ and Note5 devices, and it is the first payment solution that is simple, secure and accepted almost anywhere you can swipe or tap a card. Samsung Pay will also support NFC technology on Samsung Gear S2 in select countries after the device launches.