OAKLAND/LONDON: Alphabet Inc's Google on Wednesday relaunched its U.S. payments app, introducing paid promotions to the service and opening a waitlist for bank accounts being launched next year with Citigroup Inc and 10 other institutions.The new Google Pay app, like its predecessor which will be discontinued eventually, enables contactless payments in stores and money transfers. "Our goal is to be the all-in-one app that gives users more value and control out of their money," said Caesar Sengupta, who oversees Google's payment initiatives. "The new U.S. app works at over 100,000 restaurants, 30,000 gas stations and 400 cities' parking meters, Google said.Google first discussed adding banking accounts a year ago, but did not solicit customers for the service, dubbed Plex, until Wednesday. Partners such as Citi starting next year will activate checkings and savings accounts with no monthly fees, overdraft charges or minimum balance rules. The Citi Plex users will get free access to its network of 60,000 ATMs nationwide, the megabank said on Wednesday.

Source: Economic Times November 19, 2020 02:53 UTC