Financial Stability
ECB eye Hitachi micro chip to prevent note forgery
A report noted by Kyodo Newsby says the European Central Bank is looking into the idea of using integrated circuit chips in bank notes to prevent forgery.
Lebanon c bank asks IT experts about web security
The central bank of Lebanon has invited all Lebanese and foreign companies in the area of IT to a general pre-qualification process for the creation of a secure IT infrastructure for the central bank, according to The Daily Star.
Reserve Bank overplayed its hand, says Visa
The start of the law suit bought by major credit card companies against the Reserve Bank of Australia heard arguments on Tuesday 20 May that the central bank had overstepped its statutory powers by introducing reforms to credit card interchange fees,…
Lebanon c bank to launch electronic bank service
The central bank of Lebanon announced the launch of secure electronic banking and information for Lebanon (SEBIL) on Friday 16 May, reports the Middle East Financial Network. The new system provides identification authorization, cryptographic services,…
Visa starts court case against RBA over reforms
On Monday 19 May Visa International began legal action in court against the Reserve Bank of Australia, claiming that the RBA did not have the power to undertake sweeping reforms of Australia's credit card industry, according to Associated Press.
Cleveland Fed Banking and Payments Workshop
The Federal Reserve Bank of Cleveland's Central Bank Institute is holding a Banking and Payments Workshop from 19-21 May. Contributors are a mix of academics and central bankers with discussions including 'The ABCs of Money and Banking', 'Money in a…
BOG launches Interbank Settlement System
The central bank of Ghana (BOG) launched the Ghana Interbank Settlement (GIS) System on Thursday, reports GhanaWeb, with the governor of the BOG calling it the most efficient inter-bank money market in the West African Sub-Region.
U.S. Treasury remakes $20 to stop counterfeiters
The new US $20 note unveiled by the Bureau of Engraving and Printing on Tuesday includes the first change in the colour of U.S. currency in almost a century, Reuters reports
Hitting the target
Target2 presents an opportunity to rationalise and modernise the euro clearing and settlement process. The ECB needs to look beyond RTGS argues Mike Evans.
No honeymoon for Fukui
The world is looking for fresh, decisive policies from the new central bank governor. What can he do? Tomohiko Taniguchi reports from Tokyo.
How Fukui should deal with deflation
In the first of a two-part feature on Japan, Andrew Smithers discusses the economic solutions and political obstructions to reviving the stagnant economy.
Why finance gives the West a bad name
Robert Pringle, editor of Central Banking, finds much to ponder over in the latest books on money and globalisation.
Central banks in transition
– Kazakhstan, Georgia and Turkey –
The stability and growth pact: next steps
A flexible and cyclical assessment of euro countries’ finances will mean earlier warnings from Brussels. Has the pact bounced back? William M. Clarke reports.
A BIS embarrassed
Defeat for the BIS by minor shareholders was embarrassing and it has consequences for central banks with private shareholders, reports William Hall.
Shortage of notes threatens Zimbabwe's banks
Zimbabwe has been hit by a shortage of banknotes recently after currency restrictions made it difficult for the central bank to import special note paper, banking officials said. However, the central bank this week attributed the note shortages to the…
Lebanon's Saidi: Banks need new e-finance systems
First vice-governor of the Central Bank of Lebanon, Nasser Saidi, said banks should aim to develop Arab regional payment networks and to integrate national payment networks.
EC transfers payments system observatory to ECB
The electronic Payment Systems Observatory has been successfully transferred from the European Commission to the European Central Bank, 30 April 2003.
Hong Kong launches euro clearing system
Hong Kong launched its euro clearing system on Monday 28 April with the aim of eliminating Herstatt risk in foreign exchange settlements, according to Reuters.
China quarantines banknotes in SARS scare
China's banks are taking steps to halt the spread of the SARS virus and the central bank has urged people to use cards instead of cash. Other steps include sterilising banknotes with disinfectant, according to Dow Jones.
HKMA's Euro Clearing System goes live
The Hong Kong Monetary Authority's new Euro Clearing System will process its first transaction on 28 April. The key functions of the Euro Clearing System will include an interbank Real Time Gross Settlement (RTGS) system.
Ferguson on the Check Truncation Act
In testimony on the Check Truncation Act Roger Ferguson of the Federal Reserve said the Board believes that, over the long run, the concepts embodied in the Check Clearing for the 21st Century Act will spur the use of new technologies to improve the…
Value of Iraqi currency takes nose dive
An article from the Wall Street Journal asks What will happen to the Iraqi currency? The article suggests a lot of work has to be done, particularly as the 250 dinar note is now worth more than the 10,000 note due to the possible cancellation of notes…