Peer Review Report For: Emerging trends in digital banking: technologies, usability, regulation, and transformation of the financial sector [version 1; peer review: 1 approved, 2 approved with reservations]

Digital banking has been identified as a significant catalyst for transformation within the global financial system, driven by technological advancements and evolving user demands. This paradigm shift has the potential to profoundly impact the relationship between institutions and their customers, necessitating the development of novel business models and regulatory frameworks. However, the field of applied research exhibits methodological and thematic dispersion, which limits comprehensive understanding by hindering the connection between technological developments, regulatory perspectives, and user experiences. This, in turn, restricts the identification of clear patterns and the formulation of coherent strategies. In the context of a dynamic environment characterised by constant innovation and evolving expectations, there is a necessity to unify knowledge through systematic syntheses that organise information and guide future research. This approach involves the rigorous and systematic application of analytical methods, such as those grounded in the PRISMA methodology, to address the intricacies inherent in the interplay between emerging technologies, functionalities, and the social and institutional challenges they encounter. This transformation of digital banking into a multidimensional phenomenon necessitates integrated approaches to anticipate risks, promote inclusion, and strengthen a resilient and sustainable financial system.