Digital Banks Are Bringing the Branch Back
Hey Digital Banking Fanatic!
For years, the story was that digital banking would make branches less important. Alkami’s latest numbers suggest the reality is a little more complicated.
Its MANTL platform has now processed more than 1 million in-branch account applications, with monthly volume reaching around 90,000 in 2026. The interesting part isn’t just the return of branch activity — it’s how banks are connecting physical branches with digital account opening instead of treating them as separate channels.
In other words, the branch isn’t necessarily disappearing. It’s becoming part of a more connected digital banking experience.
And if you’re following how digital banks are performing beyond the product side, Let's find out.
Let’s get into today’s Digital Banking stories. 👇
See you tomorrow!
Cheers,
HOW DIGITAL BANKING PERFORMED LAST WEEK
📈 How did Digital Banks' stocks perform last week? Let's find out:
NEWS
🇺🇸 Alkami's MANTL surpasses 1 million in-branch applications as banks and credit unions expand digital account opening. The milestone highlights growing demand for streamlined onboarding tools across community financial institutions. Read more
🇲🇦 Banque Populaire launches Morocco's first numberless bank card, displaying no card number or security code to reduce fraud risk. Sensitive data is accessible only through the secure Pocket Bank app, meeting advanced international payment-security standards. Keep reading
🇲🇩 Moldova expands EVO digital ID wallet into banking, with four banks now accepting digital credentials via QR code. The move aligns with efforts to match Europe's digital identity wallet framework ahead of the 2026 deadline.
🇳🇬 Bankit transitions to WayvePay, unveiling a new digital banking and payments platform for Nigerians. The rebrand introduces enhanced technology and expanded savings, transfers, and money management tools.
🇲🇽 Nu Mexico and Jalisco's Secretariat for Economic Development sign a framework agreement to promote financial and technological inclusion. The first initiative, "Generación Nu," will fund 300 tech training scholarships for women through a partnership with Laboratoria. Beneficiaries receive 12 weeks of intensive training in technical skills and personal financial management.
🇺🇸 Kastle raises $24M Series A led by Insight Partners to build AI agents for banking operations. The platform has processed more than $1.8 billion in transactions, with AI agents powering consumer lending work across major enterprises and banks.
🇲🇾 Affin Bank secures US$400 million from IFC, a long-term financing package to widen MSME access to funding across Malaysia. The financing will prioritise women-owned businesses and enterprises in underserved regions, with IFC estimating it could create at least 42,000 jobs over five years.
🇺🇸 StrategyCorps acquires Quantuma, an AI-native relationship solution for commercial banking. The deal establishes MonetizeIQ for Business Banking, giving relationship managers an AI partner to identify commercial opportunities before competitors do.
🇬🇧 Phoebe Chibuzo Hugh to depart Monzo after three years at the digital bank. Hugh confirmed her departure on LinkedIn, stating that it was her last week at the company. Read more
🇲🇾 Former Ryt Bank CEO Melvin Ooi joins Bank Islam as group chief technology and transformation officer. Ooi brings over 24 years of experience spanning digital banking, payments, and FinTech across Asia and Australia to lead the lender's modernisation agenda.
Trusted reach among senior decision-makers in FinTech, Payments & Banking.
👉 Explore Partnership here
