In Germany, where 80% of transactions are carried out in cash, card payments aren’t considered secure. Fintech start-up Number26 intends to change this perception, as – even in the land of pretzels, biergartens and traditionalism – people begin to test the waters of digital banking.

Whether it’s splitting the bill at a bar or sharing a cab fare home, paying your peers can be an awkward hassle. Mobile wallet app Venmo is changing this with a social media-style digital payment system that lets you instantly transfer money between friends. Could Venmo kill cash for good?

The average Gen Yer spends five hours a week taking photos of themselves. Knowing how much this group loves a selfie, and that ease is considered the most important feature of banking, MasterCard is hoping its ‘selfie’ payment method will get them snapping and spending like there’s no tomorrow.

"Salutations, Megan!" reads a chat bubble that pops up on your phone. “It looks like you spent $600 more than last month.” A graph of your spending follows to illustrate how you frittered your money away. This is Penny, a chatty finance app that comes complete with ginger hair and jokes.