February 27, 2026
Why Physical Bank Cards Still Matter in a Digital-First World
In an increasingly mobile-first world, the push toward purely digital wallets can feel unstoppable. Half of UK adults now use mobile payments regularly, while 56% - around 28.8 million people – have used AI in the past 12 months to help manage their money. On the provider side, 75% of UK financial firms are now using AI tools, and major banks such as Santander plan to close 95 physical branches as they focus more heavily on apps and digital services. Technology is clearly reshaping how we bank. But the rush toward digital-first – or in some cases digital-only – risks…



