Samsung Launches First US Co-Branded Credit Card With Barclays

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Samsung and Barclays launched the Samsung Galaxy Card, fully manageable through Samsung Wallet.

The card gives 5% cash back on Samsung purchases plus rewards on Samsung Pay spending.

Key Facts

Samsung Electronics is a South Korean technology company known for smartphones and consumer electronics.

Barclays acquired General Motors’ credit card business in 2024 to expand its US card presence.

Background

Samsung Electronics launched its first US co-branded credit card in the United States this week, partnering with Barclays as it deepens its push into financial services and signals plans to widen its offerings ahead.

The Samsung Galaxy Card, issued by Barclays and running on Visa’s network, lets users 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.

The launch puts Samsung in direct competition with Apple Pay, which currently dominates payment services in the country. Technology firms and banks are racing to strengthen ties between digital wallets and financial products, aiming to make smartphones the primary device for payments and money management.

Doug Villone, head of cards and partnerships at Barclays US Consumer Bank, said the digital card aimed to create a more seamless payments experience, as customers increasingly manage finances through mobile devices rather than physical wallets.

Sih Lee, executive vice president and head of North America Fintech Business at Samsung Electronics, noted that seventy percent of US households own a Samsung device, while nearly 30% own three or more of its products. He described the Barclays partnership as strategic and long-term, adding that both companies intend to explore further products and capabilities for customers over time.

Barclays echoed similar ambitions for expansion, noting it actively sources new partnerships. The bank already bought General Motors’ credit card business in 2024. Customers were able to accrue and redeem reward points for purchasing Buick cars, Cadillac cars, as well as all other GM cars – both electric and traditional fuel vehicles.