Ok, I'm trying to make sense of why Apple Pay isn't available in The Netherlands.
Theory: NL banks are not willing to pay the Apple Pay transaction fee seeing as card payment adoption will not increase with it (unlike Germany, Italy, etc). Apple only wants to release AP in NL with partner banks that have substantial user numbers. Apple has launched with certain banks under exclusivity. You would assume that partnering with a single NL bank, so as to stir the pot and inflame competition, is on Apple's radar as a strategy of deployment.
Also, Apple is motivated by iPhone sales. Google Pay (and alternatives) adoption by banks and customers move Apple to take on a more active approach. I don't know how active NL banks are developing Android/Google alternatives to AP, but if not, that would seem logical as they might indirectly speed up AP availability, which they don't want.
This is the current impasse.
Has bunq proactively approached Apple for an exclusive collaboration? Or is it not possible to reach out to them? Bunq wouldn't have a lot of cash to offer, but the upside would be competition amongst banks leading to adoption of Apple Pay.
Thoughts?