In the third of The Banker’s regular series looking at retail banking in the future, Stephen Timewell examines the huge expansion of services and channels and how banks will cope.

Global branding can bring many benefits to big multinationals, including client trust, cost savings and competitive advantage. But there are also dangers, including being seen as not having local relevance. Karina Robinson reports.

The number of players in Nigeria’s banking sector is falling again as a desire to maintain a top 10 listing, as well as a nationwide presence, pushes a new wave of mergers, writes Nick Kochan.

The securities lending market has grown up around bilateral dealing and sealed bids. Frances Maguire asks if a new electronic trading platform will convince the industry to change.

The spread of mobile phone use across the globe has given new impetus to the world of mobile payments. Service providers in the vanguard of this movement stand to make a fortune but will banks rise to the challenge, asks Stephen Timewell.

Regulation aims to promote greater stability and improve efficiency that should be embraced. Institutions that revisit their business models to create new opportunities will succeed in the globally integrated financial market.

Citigroup’s managing director explains the benefits of digitising payments. Joshua Weinberger reports.

The sky is the limit when it comes to the power of the chip – and size is certainly everything. Imagine a device as big as a flea that carries a complete biometric identity management system of your clients. By Chris Skinner.

Could the difficulties surrounding integration of the front, middle and back offices be political rather than technical? Alan Duerden reports.

Interchange fees are a thorny issue at the best of times, and banks insisting on their necessity if innovation is to happen receive short shrift from consumers. Is there a happy medium? Wendy Atkins reports.