Financial Stability
Iran will not use dollar in trade
Iran plans to carry out transactions in currencies other than the dollar in retaliation for US anti-Iran banking policies, IRNA reported Tuesday 14 November.
EU single payments area plan in doubt
European Union lawmakers said Wednesday 15 November that plans for a single payments area in Europe could hit the buffers unless governments reach a deal soon.
ECB's Tumpel-Gugerell on SEPA
In the speech 'SEPA - Opportunities by change' given on 13 November Gertrude Tumpel-Gugerell of the ECB said it is important to underline that payment instruments will have to adapt to the SEPA environment.
Drug linked to disintegrating euros
A mystery substance that caused some euro banknotes in Germany to fall to pieces may be linked to the party drug crystal speed, Der Spiegel magazine reported on Saturday 11 November, quoting regional police.
Pakistan soon to launch RTGS system
The president of telecoms company PTCL, Muhammad Abdullah Bamakhrama, has said it will soon provide its latest and state-of-the-art Real Time Gross Settlement (RTGS) system to the State Bank of Pakistan.
Financial integration helps avert shocks - Trichet
European Central Bank president Jean-Claude Trichet said Monday 13 November closer financial integration will raise the eurozone's resistance to external shocks and increase its growth potential.
Malaysia, Hong Kong launch payment link
Bank Negara Malaysia (BNM) and the Hong Kong Monetary Authority launched a new cross-border payment-vs-payment link between Hong Kong's US dollar real time gross settlement (RTGS) system and Malaysia's ringgit RTGS system, the BNM said Monday 13 November.
Meister on the EU Banking Stability Report
In a speech given on 7 November Edgar Meister of the Banking Supervision Committee said as analysts of banking sector stability, we have to take into account that the links between large EU banks and hedge funds are intensifying.
Central Bank of Ireland Financial Stability Report
According to the Central Bank of Ireland's Financial Stability Report for 2006, risks in the Irish financial system, including rising debt levels, have increased since last year but the industry is robust enough to cope with shocks.
RBNZ's Bollard on financial stability issues
In the speech 'Kiwis like buying houses more than buying businesses' given on 9 November Alan Bollard of the RBNZ said New Zealanders' low investment in local businesses leaves the economy more vulnerable to shocks and constrains the country's growth…
SARB Financial Stability Review, September 2006
The South African Reserve Bank published the September 2006 edition of its Financial Stability Review on 10 November. In its latest report the SARB said the volatility of South Africa's rand could be negative for long-term growth, but for now the…
Bergo on Norwegian economy & financial stability
In the speech 'The Norwegian economy and financial stability' given on 7 November Jarle Bergo of the Norges Bank said the Norwegian financial system appears sound, well managed and competitive, and shorter-term vulnerabilities appear low overall.
ECB report says EU banks need to exercise caution
The European Central Bank said in a report on Tuesday 7 November that EU banks need to exercise caution with their mortgage lending because of the risk of some households getting into financial difficulties.
Econ Perspectives - Central counterparty clearing
The Chicago Fed's Economic Perspectives for the Fourth Quarter 2006 focuses on central counterparty clearing and includes a summary of the conference, titled "Issues related to central counterparty clearing."
Eurozone cbs well prepared for financial crisis
The European Central Bank said Monday 6 November a series of "stress testing" exercises have shown that eurozone central banks are well prepared to cope with a financial crisis.
Albania's Fullani on financial markets & stability
In the speech 'Regional financial markets and financial stability' given on 30 October Ardian Fullani of the Bank of Albania said qualitative developments have taken place in the Albanian banking system during 2006.
Is Swift living in the past?
This recent article from The Banker asks whether Swift is destined to become a relic of a bygone age, or if it can move into the modern era after its launch three decades ago.
Canada's banknotes getting mangled in old machines
A document quoted by the Canadian Press on Monday 6 November says that the Bank of Canada's currency counting machines need replacing to stop tatty bills getting stuck in the machines.
RBA appoints head of payments policy
The Reserve Bank of Australia announced Friday 3 November the appointment of Ms Michele Bullock to the position of Head of Payments Policy Department.
Acid blamed for crumbling German banknotes
German authorities revealed Thursday 2 November that more than 1,000 German banknotes have mysteriously disintegrated in recent months, possibly due to acid on the brittle notes.
ECB's Bini Smaghi on monetary, financial stability
In the speech 'Monetary and financial stability: Challenges in South-Eastern Europe' given on 30 October Lorenzo Bini Smaghi of the ECB said financial sector reforms in China and other emerging Asian economies can play a key role in reducing their large…
Japan's Next-Generation RTGS
This paper from the Bank of Japan's Payment and Settlement Systems Department provides an overview of the RTGS project and discusses how it is expected to enhance the safety and efficiency of the settlement mechanism for large-value payments in Japan.
New UK £20 'has raft of anti-fraud measures'
The Bank of England unveiled a new £20 banknote featuring the image of economist Adam Smith on Monday 30 October with a raft of improved anti-counterfeiting measures.
Kenya launches automated trading systems of NSE
President Mwai Kibaki of Kenya has said the automation of the trading system will create more confidence in the country's capital markets and enable the government and the private sector to access long-term financial resources.