Google has reportedly set up partnerships, or at least talks for partnerships, with various US banks and credit unions to offer a new kind of checking account linked to the Pay service. This may help it battle Apple, not to mention other bodies such as AliPay and Samsung Pay.
https://www.notebookcheck.net/Google-is-reportedly-coming-for-the-Apple-Card-with-new-financial-institution-partnerships.442757.0.html