In 2024, global banks must navigate interest rate variations, technology advances, economic disparities, and changing laws. China’s economic slump and geopolitical tensions exacerbate issues on many fronts. Banks must balance innovation and ethics, manage credit risks, adjust to rising interest rates, and monitor the real estate market. The financial industry is using artificial intelligence, blockchain, and cloud computing to improve operations and customer service. Digitalisation raises cybersecurity and regulatory worries. Sustainable finance grows as banks focus on environmental, social and governance (ESG) criteria and green activities to promote resilience, innovation, and global solutions; transparency and ESG metrics standardisation are crucial. Get up to speed on these pressing issues with detailed research in this special edition.