International Payments Upgrade: Barclays, HSBC, Lloyds and NatWest are among the first to go live on a new Swift consumer payments framework, aiming for full amount delivery, faster transfers, clear upfront fees and better tracking. Banking Safety Net Tightened (Kenya): Kenya’s new law formalises Emergency Liquidity Assistance, requiring banks to be solvent and systemically safe before any CBK rescue funding. Mobile Banking Restored (UAE): Abu Dhabi Commercial Bank says its app and core banking channels are fully back for most customers after a week of technical disruption. Leadership Moves (US/TD): TD Bank names Jill Gateman head of U.S. commercial banking as it consolidates corporate, commercial, small business and regional banking under one leader. Crypto Banking Push (Russia): Sberbank plans a crypto wallet inside its apps by December, backed by a new digital currency law expected to take effect in September. Stablecoin Relief (US): Paxos says the SEC ended its BUSD probe without recommending enforcement, a rare regulatory easing signal for stablecoin issuers. Fintech Expansion (US): Klarna applies for a U.S. banking licence via an industrial loan company structure. Corporate Banking Tech (Mastercard): Mastercard highlights AI and data analytics use cases for Kyrgyzstan’s banks, including credit scoring and personalised client services. Market Watch: RBC and Deutsche Bank cut targets on Close Brothers and Rentokil Initial respectively as investors digest UK construction data and Fed minutes ahead.