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Archive · July 18, 2026

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Story 01

Regions Bank Hits 80% Digital Transactions After Major Mobile and Online Upgrades

Regions Financial Corp. reported that 80% of its transactions are now digital following significant mobile and online banking enhancements. Regions Bank is accelerating its digital transformation to retain customers, pushing other regional banks to invest in digital channels or risk losing market share to tech-forward rivals. The shift is driving further branch closures and a renewed focus on digital customer experience.

Source: PYMNTS
Also Worth Knowing
№02

FIS Taps Anthropic’s Mythos 5 AI to Fortify Global Financial Security Infrastructure

FIS has joined Anthropic's Project Glasswing, deploying the Mythos 5 AI model to strengthen its financial infrastructure security. FIS is setting a precedent for using generative AI to detect fraud and automate compliance, prompting fintechs and banks to evaluate similar AI partnerships to meet evolving regulatory requirements for real-time risk monitoring and data protection.

Source: PYMNTS
№03

Alipay+ Expands QR Code Payment Acceptance to Argentina for International Travelers

Alipay+ has enabled QR code payments for travelers visiting Argentina, extending its global reach into Latin America. Local merchants can now directly capture spending from Asian tourists, while payment platforms like Mercado Pago face increased competition for cross-border tourist flows. The move is expected to drive more merchants to adopt digital payments to attract international customers during Argentina’s peak travel season.

Source: Finextra
№04

FTX to Distribute $900 Million in Fifth Wave of Creditor Repayments

FTX will distribute roughly $900 million to creditors, bringing total repayments to nearly $10 billion amid ongoing bankruptcy proceedings. Creditors are recovering partially from their losses, while the broader crypto industry monitors these repayments as a test of exchange solvency and trust. Ongoing distributions may help stabilize sentiment, but regulators are increasing scrutiny of crypto platforms’ risk management.

Source: The Block
№05

BBVA Launches Swift’s New Global Retail Payments Scheme for Faster Cross-Border Transfers

BBVA became the first Spanish bank to roll out Swift’s new global retail payments scheme, enabling faster and more transparent international payments for individuals and SMEs. By offering real-time tracking and reduced settlement times, BBVA aims to help SMEs access new markets and improve cash flow, while rival banks must accelerate upgrades to retain business clients.

Source: Finextra
The Long Memory
“The original Payment Services Directive (PSD) not only enabled non-banks to offer payment services in Europe, but also paved the way for open banking by requiring banks to share account access with licensed third parties.

Filed under: Payments History · The Long Memory

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