Apple headed to NFC and mobile payments?

Apple has been sending out clues about the possibility of the company processing payments on mobile devices. After rumors about secret meetings, patent filings and analyst predictions, Apple is reportedly seeking to hire for two new electronic payment senior positions.
After Apple introduced its Passbook app, allowing consumers to store tickets, loyalty cards, passes and gift cards on their iPhones, the rumour mill has not stopped talking about Apple soon introducing Near-Field Communication (NFC) technology. iPhone users will be able to make mobile payments to merchants using NFC, but Apple remains silent on the issue as usual, making it unclear as to how interested the company is in developing a mobile wallet.