Banking Tech & Hiring: Bank of America plans to add 2,000 summer interns and 2,000 full-time employees next week, keeping youth recruitment front and center as AI reshapes roles. Digital Banking Convenience: Karnataka Bank enabled EPF contributions through EPFO via its internet banking, letting customers pay online with instant confirmation. Pension Policy Push: Bangladesh’s finance ministry and Bangladesh Bank moved to bring bank employees under the Progoti universal pension scheme, with banks told to set up branch desks and actively promote sign-ups. AI Partnerships in Banking: G42 and Banco Santander signed an MoU to co-develop AI-enabled banking advisory and savings solutions, combining Santander’s scale with G42’s agentic AI and cloud capabilities. Operational Glitches: Lloyds Banking Group apologized after an IT outage locked customers out of apps and online banking and blocked payments across brands for hours. Crypto Market Spillover: Bitcoin’s “fear gauge” jumped nearly 20% as traders rushed to buy downside protection amid ETF outflows and liquidation-driven volatility. Stablecoin Rails: Mastercard expanded settlement support for dollar-backed stablecoins, enabling RLUSD and others across multiple blockchain networks for approved partners. AI Infrastructure Investment: IREN shares jumped after announcing an 800MW data center campus in South Australia, targeting initial energization in 2028.