The current disintermediation in payments and MSME lending marks the tip of the iceberg, and retail deposits may be the next battleground

With a large portion of Africa’s population still lacking access to traditional banking services, particularly in places banks fear to tread, payment providers have stepped into the breach, gaining in popularity for offering services beyond the usual payments, money transfer and savings

An altered operating environment has led treasury to reprioritise their investment and liquidity management strategy, with cash management providers offering enhanced solutions

Transaction banks in the Middle East are expanding services in non-oil businesses with high growth potential, in line with economic diversification, and to mitigate geopolitical instability in countries in the Gulf Cooperation Council

Nubank has reported its first full-year profitability since its launch in 2014. Nearing 100 million customers, the bank has set new benchmarks in revenue

Alipay retains its top spot in this year’s ranking, while Apple Pay climbs higher with its expanded financial services ecosystem

Member countries of the Arab Monetary Fund are enhancing global cross-border transactions through streamlined payments, improved compliance, and increased financial inclusion.

Financial institutions are swiftly adopting blockchain and cryptocurrencies, catalysing regulatory discussions and heralding a significant shift in the global financial system.

The Global RMB Internationalisation Survey 2024 reveals that usage in cross-border trade has surged, accounting for over half of China’s cross-border payments. The results show high engagement from financial institutions and companies in RMB-based transactions, with notable growth in cross-border cash management, trade financing and investments.