Archive

All essays

A complete chronological record of everything published on Transaction Intelligence.

  1. № 1 · 26 Feb
    Regulatory

    The Fragility of Transatlantic Data Transfers

    As digital commerce grows increasingly global, the legal frameworks governing data transfers across borders have never been more important. Yet these frameworks remain surprisingly fragile, especially between the EU and US.

    2 min read
  2. № 2 · 25 Feb
    Behavioural Science

    From Confusion to Exclusion

    Clear communication in banking isn't just about customer service—it's about enabling confident participation in the modern financial world.

    2 min read
  3. № 3 · 21 Feb
    Banking Technology

    When Systems Fail: The Hidden Impact on Financial Inclusion

    The Treasury Committee's investigation into Barclays' January outage reveals a critical but often overlooked relationship: the connection between operational resilience and financial inclusion.

    2 min read
  4. № 4 · 17 Feb
    UX & Design

    The Consistency Principle in Digital Products: Why Small Interactions Matter More Than Big Features

    In nature, the most dramatic transformations often come from consistent forces rather than sudden events. Rivers carve canyons not through violent floods, but through persistent flow. The same principle applies to digital products.

    3 min read
  5. № 5 · 14 Feb
    UX & Design

    The Engagement Problem: Designing Automation That Keeps Humans in the Loop

    In The Automation Paradox, I explored how financial automation risks disengaging users. This follow-up examines how automation can enhance, rather than replace, human judgement—ensuring users remain active participants in decision-making rather than passive observers.

    3 min read
  6. № 6 · 10 Feb
    UX & Design

    The Automation Paradox How Smart Banking Features May Be Making Us Worse with Money

    Smart banking features promise to streamline our finances through automation and clever defaults. But are we sacrificing financial awareness for convenience? Explore the tension between automated money management and mindful decision-making in personal finance.

    2 min read
  7. № 7 · 07 Feb
    Payments

    The Psychology of Modern Payment Choices From Cards to BNPL

    How do payment methods influence our spending decisions? From the psychological distance created by card payments to the sophisticated mechanisms of Buy Now, Pay Later services, this article examines the hidden forces shaping our financial choices.

    3 min read
  8. № 8 · 03 Feb
    Behavioural Science

    Seeing Around Corners Developing Second-Order Thinking

    When Amazon introduced one-click purchasing in 1999, it seemed like an obvious win. Reduced friction, higher sales. But the ripple effects continue to reshape retail in unexpected ways, from return fraud to changing consumer psychology. Welcome to the world of second-order thinking.

    3 min read
  9. № 9 · 31 Jan
    Behavioural Science

    Consistency Over Intensity: The Hidden Power of Small Actions

    As January ends, packed gym classes thin out, with 80% of New Year's resolutions already abandoned. While we celebrate dramatic transformations, we overlook a far more powerful force: consistency. The science shows that small, regular actions trump sporadic bursts of intense effort.

    3 min read
  10. № 10 · 27 Jan
    AI & Automation

    Deepseek & AI Investments

    Last Monday, DeepSeek, a Chinese AI research laboratory spun out of a quant trading firm, released a preview of its latest language

    2 min read
  11. № 11 · 08 Jan
    AI & Automation

    AI: State of Play 2024

    2024's AI landscape saw intense competition displace GPT-4's early lead, while multi-modal capabilities and platform integration expanded. Despite advanced features, widespread adoption remains limited. Breakthrough applications await as hardware costs fall and integration deepens.

    3 min read
  12. № 12 · 14 Nov
    Behavioural Science

    Making Good Decisions

    Explore practical frameworks for better decision-making, from understanding operating environments to effectively communicating choices. Learn how structured approaches can set you up for success in both personal and professional contexts.

    3 min read