Use your future Rogers Card to pay your Rogers bill.

The Canadian Minister of Finance has given permission for Rogers Communications to open its own bank, primarily to let the cable operator get into the credit card business.

Rogers wants into the lucrative card services business to build customer loyalty and retention through a future rewards program that awards customers credits towards Rogers’ services.

But more importantly, the incorporation of Rogers Bank will let the cable company master its entry into the emerging digital mobile wallet business.

“Today’s announcement is a significant milestone in our plan to issue a credit card,” said David Robinson, vice president of emerging business at Rogers. “The Rogers credit card program represents a new growth opportunity while giving customers an opportunity to accumulate value in a future Rogers loyalty program.”

Rogers has 12 months to complete the application process towards accreditation of its financial institution, after which it can introduce its credit card.

In the past, Rogers has maintained a working relationship with CIBC, Canada’s fifth largest bank.