Samsung launches U.S. co-branded credit card with Barclays

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Samsung Barclays credit card launch

Highlights

Samsung and Barclays launched the Samsung Galaxy Card on Visa, offering 5% cash back on Samsung purchases and full integration with Samsung Wallet.
The U.S. rollout increases competition with Apple Pay as both tech giants and banks seek tighter links between digital wallets and consumer financial products.
In 2024, Barclays expanded its U.S. card footprint by acquiring the General Motors credit card business, enhancing reward opportunities across Buick, Cadillac, and other GM brands.

Card rollout through Samsung Wallet

As reported by Reuters, the Samsung Galaxy Card is issued by Barclays and runs on Visa's network, allowing users to apply, manage accounts, track spending and redeem rewards entirely through Samsung Wallet. The card offers 5% cash back on Samsung purchases, along with additional rewards on Samsung Pay and other spending categories.

Doug Villone, head of cards and partnerships at Barclays U.S. Consumer Bank, says the digital card is designed to create a more seamless payments experience for customers who increasingly manage their finances through mobile devices rather than physical wallets.

Sih Lee, executive vice president and head of North America Fintech Business at Samsung Electronics, says 70% of U.S. households have a Samsung device and nearly 30% own three or more of its products. He says Samsung's relationship with Barclays is strategic and long term, and adds that the companies intend to explore other products and capabilities over time beyond cards.

Competitive pressure in U.S. payments

The launch places Samsung in more direct competition with Apple Pay in the U.S. payments market, as technology companies and banks seek tighter links between digital wallets and financial products. That race centers on making smartphones the main device for payments and money management, an opportunity both Samsung and Barclays are targeting.

Barclays also signals room for broader cooperation as it expands its U.S. consumer business and looks for new partnerships. Villone says the bank typically looks for ways to extend relationships over time when that makes sense for consumers.

Barclays has also been growing its card operations in the U.S. In 2024, it acquired the General Motors credit card business, a deal that broadened its card footprint by giving customers ways to earn and redeem rewards on Buick, Cadillac and other GM vehicles, including electric models.

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