Starling will be the first bank in the UK to offer users of Android phones the ability to setup Google Pay within the Starling app, through the use of ‘push provisioning’. This enables customers who are new to Starling to add their Starling Debit Card into their digital wallet with a single tap and start spending even before the physical card arrives in the post. 

Existing customers can also activate Google Pay with a single tap within the Starling Bank App. 

Google Pay is easy to set up and works with most Android devices. It offers seamless and secure payments on the go wherever contactless payments are accepted. Users can also check out in hundreds of apps that display the buy with Google Pay button, without ever having to enter their payment information. They can catch a ride, order takeaway, or buy tickets to events - all with the simple press of a single button within their chosen app and without having to fill in billing and shipping information. 

Google Pay doesn’t share users’ actual card number with vendors in shops or online, so their information stays secure. 

Julian Sawyer, Chief Operating Officer at Starling Bank, said: “Being the first UK bank to allow users to set up Google Pay within the bank’s own app demonstrates Starling’s continuing promise to deliver great customer experience and fast, easy, secure ways to pay. Our Android customers can now benefit from being able to instantly use their account even before their card arrives.” 

Pali Bhat, VP of Payments at Google said: “We're excited to partner with Starling Bank to bring the simplicity and security of mobile payments to more people in the UK. Through the Google Pay API, we are able to offer Starling Bank customers a fast and easy experience in activating new and existing bank accounts for mobile payments.”