Lloyds clinches £120m deal for digital wallet provider Curve

Lloyds Banking Group's recent £120 million acquisition of Curve highlights a significant trend in the financial sector, where traditional banks are increasingly investing in digital payment solutions. This move comes amid ongoing discussions in the industry about transaction fees, as seen in the recent $38 billion deal between Visa and Mastercard aimed at resolving long-standing swipe-fee disputes. As Lloyds embraces digital innovation, shareholder concerns about the distribution of sale proceeds reflect a broader tension in the market, emphasizing the need for transparency and strategic alignment in such acquisitions.