You get it now. Last year, we named Apple to our Coolest Brands list and we know more than a few of you snickered. It’s an iWhatever company, you muttered. But you’ve seen the patents and you’ve seen Passbook, and you know it is only a matter of time. The fact that seemingly every financial institution in the world has an iOS app of some ilk or other should seal the deal: Apple is a banking brand to be reckoned with. Just wait until the company really starts its payments monetization.

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