Google has hit the brakes on a undertaking so as to add cellular banking to its Pay app, whilst the web monetary providers marketplace for on a regular basis buyers heats up.

The firm has ended work on its Plex undertaking, however continues to eye methods to combine monetary providers, a spokesperson stated Friday confirming a Wall Street Journal report.

Plex would have allowed the Pay app to behave as an interface for banks or credit score unions, permitting customers to entry their financial savings and checking accounts.

Google growth of the undertaking got here as quite a lot of web corporations, from Amazon and PayPal to Square and Robinhood, have been driving a pattern of offering monetary instruments for buying, borrowing or investing on-line.

“We’re updating our approach to focus primarily on delivering digital enablement for banks and other financial service providers rather than us serving as provider of these services,” the spokesperson stated in response to an AFP inquiry.

“We strongly believe that this is the best way for Google to help consumers gain better access to financial services.”

Google stated late final yr that it was working with almost a dozen credit score unions and banks, together with Citigroup, for inclusion in its Plex undertaking for its Pay cellular app accessible on Android smartphones.

The Pay app permits customers to pay for transactions, ship cash to pals, and retailer loyalty playing cards, amongst different benefits.

About 400,000 folks had registered on a ready listing for Plex, in line with the Wall Street Journal.