The Monday Roundup: what we are watching this week | May 12th

By Puja Sharma

The Monday Roundup sets the scene for the week’s biggest news stories, industry deals, and upcoming events. For Prime subscribers only.

Largest foreign investment in an Indian private lender

Yes Bank has signed a $1.62 billion (₹13,483 crore) deal with Japan’s Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corporation (SMBC), which will acquire a 20% stake in the private lender. The shares will be bought from SBI and a group of other banks that supported Yes Bank’s 2020 reconstruction. Following the announcement, Yes Bank’s stock rose 9% on May 12. The deal, pending regulatory approvals, is seen as a key step in boosting the bank’s growth and profitability with support from SMBC’s global banking expertise.

The deal marks one of the biggest foreign investments in an Indian private lender. It is expected to catalyse Yes Bank’s next phase of growth and strengthen governance by leveraging SMBC’s global expertise. Following the news, Yes Bank shares jumped 9% on May 12. The transaction is subject to RBI and CCI approvals.

The European Banking Authority (EBA) has updated its technical standards on resolution planning to simplify reporting across the EU. The new “core-plus-supplement” model tailors requirements to a bank’s size and complexity, easing the burden on smaller institutions. It also removes overlapping data requests already covered under frameworks like MREL/TLAC, CoRep, and FinRep. The goal is to streamline compliance and improve data usability for resolution authorities. A detailed technical package, including data models and validation rules, will follow in late 2025.

Helping enterprises proactively detect vulnerabilities

Cybersecurity startup Valarian has secured $20 million in seed funding to expand its AI-powered threat detection and prevention solutions. The round, led by prominent venture capital firms, underscores growing investor confidence in advanced cybersecurity technologies that can keep pace with rising digital threats. Valarian’s platform uses artificial intelligence to help enterprises proactively detect vulnerabilities and respond to breaches in real-time, a critical capability in today’s high-risk cyber landscape.

The funding will support product development and fuel the company’s go-to-market efforts as it looks to scale operations and broaden customer reach. With organisations facing increasingly complex cyberattacks, there is mounting demand for intelligent, automated protection tools. Valarian’s raise reflects a wider shift toward AI as a core component of modern cybersecurity strategies. As data security becomes non-negotiable for businesses, startups like Valarian are positioning themselves at the heart of enterprise resilience in a digital-first economy.

Jeeves has introduced an embedded finance solution in Brazil to help fight corporate travel payment fraud. The tool allows travel agencies and tour operators to issue virtual card numbers (VCNs) through an easy API integration. These one-time use, customisable digital cards help monitor spending in real-time, set spending limits, and provide full traceability. The solution addresses issues like linking expenses to specific travelers and rising fraud in corporate travel. Two of Brazil’s largest travel agencies have already adopted this technology, reporting more accurate expense reconciliation and lower financial risks. The VCNs also offer up to 37 days of credit and cashback rewards for B2B spending.

What is the buzz

Despite the global excitement around AI, a new study by Tietoevry Create reveals that Nordic enterprises are still slow to embrace generative AI. Only 17% of IT leaders in Finland and Sweden believe AI is delivering strong business impact, and just 7% report widespread use. Most firms remain in early testing phases, using AI primarily in customer service, IT, and R&D. Key roadblocks include legacy system integration, skills gaps, and uncertainty over use cases. While efficiency is the main driver, concerns around data security and regulation are slowing progress. Experts urge a shift in mindset—from cost-saving to competitive advantage.