US Bank's on-the-spot card approval app comes to Android

24 May 2012 | 1248 views | 0 Source: US Bank

U.S. Bank has introduced an app for Android that allows customers of select retail partners to apply for a credit card while they are shopping and if approved, use it to pay for purchases before they leave the store.

U.S. Bank Card App for Android mirrors that of the iPhone® app previously announced with REI (Recreational Equipment, Inc) in October 2011 and Ace Hardware in April 2012. REI is the first U.S. Bank cobranded partner to launch the new app for Android.

U.S. Bank plans to continue to roll out the U.S. Bank Card App for Android and iPhone to other cobranded partners in 2012.

"The U.S. Bank Card App for iPhone and now Android enables our partners to offer convenience and immediate purchasing power to more customers, regardless of their mobile devices," said John Owens, senior vice president of U.S. Bank Retail Payment Solutions. "U.S. Bank is continually looking for mobile opportunities to enhance the relationship with our partners and the experience our customers have interacting with us."

The Android version of the REI app, called the "REI Visa App," is free and available from REI's website and at Google Play. The app allows consumers to easily apply for a U.S. Bank REI cobranded credit card. Approved customers can access a secure, virtual credit card via their mobile phone. The virtual credit card contains information that the new cardholder can provide to the sales specialist so purchases can be made immediately.

Like the iPhone version, the Android app provides anytime access to account management tools, such as viewing the account balance and most recent transactions as well as making a payment to the account. It also features a link to REI's website to shop for favorite products.

U.S. Bank also provides its banking customers with mobile features that make it easy to check balances, pay bills, transfer money or even deposit a check while they are on the go. The company introduced and is piloting Find US+, an iPhone app that gives users a street view branch and ATM locator using the device's camera.

U.S. Bank continues to be a leader in payment innovation. In addition to being the first to launch the instant line of credit applications for iPad® and iPhone, it was first to introduce a dual interface payment solution that combines EMV chip, Visa payWave and magnetic stripe technologies to enhance acceptance and compatibility with credit cards systems worldwide.