As Finextra pulls the shutters down on 2015, we take a look back at our most popular news stories, videos, and community engagement activities over the course of the past year. The site will re-open for business on 4 January 2016.
Top news stories of 2015
January
Mobile payments reach tipping point - Deloitte
The use of mobile phones for making in-store payments is set to grow by 1000% during 2015, marking a mass-market tipping point for NFC-enabled transactions, forecasts Deloitte.
February
Half of the world's banks set to fall by the digital wayside - BBVA
Up to half of the world's banks will disappear through the cracks opened up by digital disruption of the industry, forecasts BBVA chairman and CEO Francisco Gonzalez.
March
In the future, BBVA will be a software company - Francisco Gonzalez
Fresh from his forecasts last month that half of the world's banks would get left behind by the digital revolution in financial services, BBVA chairman Francisco González has mapped out a new future for his organisation, not as a bank, but as a software company.
April
UBS to investigate blockchain technology in new London innovation lab
The Swiss bank is planning to open an innovation lab in Level39's high growth space, HighGrowth:42, to explore the role of blockchain technology in financial services.
May
Banks rethinking business models as PSD2 looms - Finextra Research
Europe's banks are engaged in a do-or-die effort to prepare for the 2016 introduction of new payments regulations that are expected to usher in a wave of fresh competition and innovation across the sector, according to research conducted by Finextra.
June
Canadian senate committee urges 'light touch' bitcoin regulation
Canada should employ a "light regulatory touch" when dealing with digital currencies and the blockchain, according to a report from a powerful standing senate committee.
July
ING Bank introduces voice-activated mobile payments
ING Bank in the Netherlands is introducing voice-activated payments through its mobile app, enabling customers to authorise transactions by conversing with a virtual assistant on their phone.
August
Blockchain poised to become banks' biggest disruptor yet - BBVA economists
With dozens of the world's biggest banks already investing heavily in the blockchain, it is just a matter of time before the technology creates far-reaching disruption in the financial services industry, says a new report from BBVA Compass economists.
September
Nine banks plans blockchain collaboration plan
Nine of the world's largest banks are backing an initiative to create a set of global standards for the use of distributed ledger technology in financial markets.
October
European Parliament rubberstamps Payment Services Directive
The European Parliament has formally adopted the revised Directive on Payment Services (PSD2), a set of sweeping new rules proposed by the European Commission to boost competition and innovation while improving consumer protections.
November
Visa explores use of blockchain tech for remittances
Visa Europe's innovation hub is teaming up with distributed ledger specialist Epiphyte on a proof of concept project looking into how the blockchain and bitcoin can be used for international remittances.
December
Forget the hype: Bank customers unimpressed by disruptive tech
The much hyped ‘digital disruption’ in the UK banking sector appears to be a non-event for the majority of consumers, who remain steadfastly unimpressed by noisy new entrants and new-fangled tech.
Most commented
Bank branches will save banks from digital challengers - Botin
UK iPhone users unsure on Apple Pay
Forget the hype: Bank customers unimpressed by disruptive tech
Moven and Accenture team up to sell digital tools to banks
EU Parliament agrees EU interchange fee caps
Most shared
Half of the world's banks set to fall by the digital wayside - BBVA
Banks and startups must collaborate for 'Fintech 2.0' revolution
Nine banks back blockchain collaboration plan
In the future, BBVA will be a software company - Francisco Gonzalez
More global banks back blockchain collaboration initiative
Videos
Innovation in wealth management
ATM resilience in the age of social media
Swift Nordics regional conference
A new future for fintech
Addressing startup competition
Blogs
Digital marketing 2.0 - rise of the predictive analytics
Apple Pay: Lessons for Cupertino
Digital banking tips - Tip 23: Digital marketing
Mobile payment fraud: Emerging ground for cyber criminals
Digital banking tips - Tip 7: Mobuile security - What happens if mobile banking user's phone is hacked?