HSBC's group chief technology officer, Ken Harvey, has led a bank-wide project to create a single, centralised IT services hub that is expected to achieve major cost savings. The project underpins the bank's broader One HSBC business re-engineering programme.

Santander's acquisition spree has left the bank with a major IT challenge. But as José María Fuster, its CIO, explains, the bank has embraced IT integration as an all-encompassing transformation programme. Writer Wendy Atkins

Even though the majority of sub-Saharan countries are cash-driven, a string of initiatives are being rolled out across the region to take bank notes out of transactions where possible. Telcos, financial companies and reforms by the central banks are leading the way in Kenya, Ghana and Nigeria. Writer Wendy Atkins

Although France's banking sector has been dealt a few blows during the past two years, its retail sector remains strong compared with its European peers. Writer Wendy Atkins

The major payment card players were out in force at the Cartes annual trade show, showing off their latest password generators for conducting online transactions, most thin enough to fit in a wallet. Writer Wendy Atkins.

A recent joint-pilot of the O2 Wallet, which uses mobile phones as payment tools, has proven popular with consumers who enjoyed the convenience and security the method offers. Writer Wendy Atkins.

Telecommunications firms and banks are going into partnership to take a stake in the unbanked markets of the developing world, but encouraging consumers to sign up to full services will be the challenge. Writer Wendy Atkins.

The Olympics is an opportunity that all those involved in card payments are determined to make the most of. Wendy Atkins reports.

Huge advancements are being made in contactless payment methods in Asia-Pacific and Europe, with a variety of technologies on trial. But some stumbling blocks remain, reports Wendy Atkins.