According this article more than $10 million has been raised through strategic partnerships, and four key products are due to be rolled out in June. It means that banks really need blockchain technology and invest money in it.
The financial sector needs fast and cheap payments between countries, which is why blockchain startups attract such significant investment.
I think Aeternity good project for this functions, state channels make it possible to execute smart contracts off-chain. The blockchain enforces the smart contract code only in the case of a disagreement between the contracting parties