In Argentina, a flurry of promotions from banks and digital wallets is offering commuters reimbursements of up to 100% on bus, subway and toll fares, a direct response to mounting transport costs and a concerted push to accelerate the shift to cashless payments. Banco Provincia’s Cuenta DNI returns the full fare on contactless NFC transactions in the Buenos Aires metropolitan area, while Santander and MODO jointly offer up to 100% cashback via QR code, capped at 8,000 pesos per month. Mercado Pago provides a 70% rebate, and Naranja X extends 50% discounts to both NFC and QR users. The incentives arrive as the province of Buenos Aires raised tolls on Atlantic coast routes by 6.71% and Mendoza increased bus fares by 20% to 1,680 pesos, prompting local authorities to highlight MODO and Naranja X promotions that effectively halve the cost of a trip.

Viewed from Brasília, similar dynamics are unfolding. The city of Jacareí in São Paulo state raised bus fares by 20 to 30 centavos, setting a higher price for cash payments (5 reais) than for contactless cards (4.50 reais) to encourage electronic ticketing, which already accounts for 87% of journeys. Meanwhile, Rio de Janeiro announced a tender to incorporate 1,400 new buses into its municipal fleet, a 57% increase, as part of a broader overhaul that will replace the current consortium model with 34 operating lots and shift operator remuneration from passenger numbers to kilometres travelled. The first vehicles are expected in early 2027.

In the energy sector, Argentine fuel retailers YPF, Shell, Axion and Puma are offering discounts of up to 30% through bank partnerships and digital wallets, with the largest savings tied to specific days and payment apps. The promotions mirror the transport-sector strategy of using targeted cashback to manage household budgets amid persistent inflation.

A cyberattack on Iran’s Bank Melli, Tejarat and Saderat has disrupted services for days, delaying long-term deposit interest payments and temporarily blocking balance inquiries and cheque processing. While card-to-card transfers and ATM withdrawals have been partially restored, the incident underscores the vulnerability of heavily digitised financial systems. In Italy, legislators are moving in the opposite direction: a bill advancing through the Senate would compel banks to open basic accounts for all citizens unless anti-money-laundering rules apply, and would ban unilateral account closures without cause, aiming to prevent financial exclusion in an increasingly cashless economy.

New York City’s governor and mayor unveiled an $800 million plan to overhaul the bus system, the largest in the United States, with 2,500 new vehicles, dedicated lanes, all-door boarding and real-time information screens. The first five rapid bus routes will serve the Bronx, Queens and Brooklyn, with all-door boarding beginning in 2027. The initiative, like Rio’s fleet expansion, reflects a broader bet that upgrading surface transport can deliver faster, more reliable journeys without the capital costs of new rail lines.