Will we all adopt NFC payments? How will our privacy concerns hinder the development of electronic money? Do we really trust brands over banks and why should all finance companies be watching Apple?

Apple is hoping that Apple Pay, a tap-to-pay service integrated into the iPhone 6 and Apple Watch, will help it dominate the $79.2 billion-a-year digital payments market. But can Apple succeed where so many have failed before, and truly replace our wallets with our phones?

With UK consumer confidence increasing, competition among banks is stronger than ever. Austerity has left consumers cautious, while 24/7 banking has given more access and control over personal finance. But what do people want, and how can banks entice them to switch?

With 2 million users, a deal with Starbucks, and $6 billion worth of transactions, Square is turning smartphones into checkouts, digitising loyalty schemes and reshaping how consumers spend – without using NFC technology.