American Express Serve will be introduced to the Isis mobile wallet, the companies announced today. The new co-branded account will be offered in every Isis mobile wallet as a part of a nationwide launch later this year, enabling millions of Americans to tap and pay using their American Express Serve account, according to a news release.

Under the new arrangement, customers will be able to pay bills online and send money to friends and family. They will also be able to add cash to their American Express Serve account or fund it using an existing bank account, any credit or debit card, or through direct deposit.

"Linking the platforms will allow millions of people to conveniently and inexpensively manage and move their money," Dan Schulman, group president, enterprise growth, American Express, said in the release. "From the palm of your hand, consumers, including those without access to traditional bank accounts or credit, can have access to everyday financial services. And our combined solution works in today's retail environment, and in the emerging 'tap-to-pay' point-of-sale ecosystem."

Isis CEO Michael Abbott said the company's relationship with American Express Serve underscores its mutual commitment to providing consumers with choice and value in mobile payments. "We learned through our pilot that customers love the convenience of tap and pay with the ability to manage their payments and loyalty programs from one app," he said. "By adding American Express Serve to the Isis wallet, we can immediately provide millions of consumers the opportunity to participate in mobile commerce as we continue to enrich the consumer experience."

Customers will be able to use eligible American Express Serve accounts within the Isis mobile wallet to:

• Load funds to their American Express Serve account from a variety of sources, including a bank account, debit, credit or charge card, or by receiving money from another American Express Serve account;
• Load cash to their American Express Serve account;
• Tap and pay with their phone at any NFC-enabled retail location that accepts American Express;
• Use their American Express Serve Card at any merchant that accepts American Express Cards, both online and offline;
• Pay bills electronically;
• Make person to person payments to other American Express Serve accountholders; and
• Add funds using direct deposit.

According to the FDIC, nearly 70 million Americans do not have bank accounts or access to credit. Many of these Americans are paid in cash and must rely on expensive services to pay their bills or send money to friends or family. By adding alternatives to traditional banking services at a low cost to the Isis and American Express Serve experience, the companies said, American Express Serve is now able to provide a unique service proposition to millions of Americans.

The Isis mobile wallet uses near field communications technology to allow consumers to pay, redeem coupons and present loyalty cards with their mobile phones. American Express' U.S. Consumer and OPEN Small Business Cards are currently available in the Isis mobile wallet. Isis, a New York City-based joint venture between AT&T Mobility LLC, T-Mobile USA Inc. and Verizon Wireless, recently announced plans to expand nationwide later this year.

Learn more about the mobile/digital wallet.