Currency
Central Bank of Kenya to challenge banknote tender nullification
Central bank to challenge ruling which revokes De La Rue’s tender win following claims of favouritism
Philippines admits to circulating ‘faceless’ banknotes
Printing error results in missing portraits on several banknotes; the central bank urges the public not to circulate the images on social media
Botswana chooses polymer for latest banknote launch
African nation partners with UK printer De La Rue for new banknote launch, opting for polymer to prolong life
SNB buys banknote company ‘to ensure its survival’
Company that provides substrate for Swiss banknotes came into liquidity difficulties following the cancellation of a tender from an international client
Sarb closes branches to optimise cash management
Inefficiencies prompt central bank to close three of its branches, while remaining three are ‘converted’ into cash centres
Denmark ‘not heading for cashless society’ – research
Central bank recognises cash transactions are in decline, but says consumers will always have the option to pay with cash
Change in fees could lead to ATM ‘deserts’ – MP Nicky Morgan
Chair of UK Treasury committee concerned that changes to ATM networks could threaten financial inclusion as cash continues to be important to 2.7 million people
Central bank demand boosting banknote sector – RBA’s Boulton
Asian security printers are showing faster growth as central banks turn to more sophisticated designs, says Lindsay Boulton
Bank of Canada paper investigates the ‘burden of coins’
Research sheds light on consumer behaviour when making low-value transactions with cash, suggesting cards more likely to be used if large amount of coins will be received
San Francisco Fed study: cash is not dead yet
Demand for notes and coins is “strong”, says the study, with cash in circulation growing in the majority of nations
Book notes: Hole in the Wall, by James Shepherd-Barron
Cash machines have changed the way cash is managed, but is there a future for such machines in a world looking to go cashless?
Mauritius governor opens new currency museum named after first governor
Museum ‘Aunauth Beejadhur’ will exhibit Mauritian currency throughout the ages, with plans to expand scope to include financial literacy at a later date
Venezuela launches new higher-denomination banknote
Banknote worth $2.50 enters circulation as estimated inflation exceeds 2,500%
New Russian banknote provokes anger in Ukraine
Ukrainian central bank prohibits institutions from handling new note, which depicts scenes from Crimea region; design was chosen by the public in 2016
BoE introduces new counterfeit initiative for ‘front line of defence’
New checking scheme will employ “targeted training” for cash handlers while retailers will help central bank gather data on current practices
Cleland outlines uncertainty of future cash demand
BoE chief cashier says people will move away from cash, but the rate of change is uncertain
Central banks unlikely to issue digital money, argues author
David Birch’s book discusses how communities could be at the heart of the new electronic monetary system
Zimbabwe central bank has ‘little choice’ but to increase bond notes
Research says bond-note expansion sets the country on path to de-dollarisation; rise in tobacco output and gold prices unlikely to offer sufficient liquidity relief
RBI data casts doubt on value of demonetisation
Scheme receives fresh criticism after revelation that 99% of all notes have been returned; RBI emphasises long-term benefits
Indian central bank introduces 200 rupee banknote denomination
New denomination should “facilitate exchange” for smaller transactions, RBI says
São Tomé and Príncipe redenominates currency
New banknote series sees new and old dobras swapped at 1:1,000 ratio; UK-based printer De La Rue to develop new series
Malawi central bank bolsters anti-counterfeiting with MoU
Governor says new framework will strengthen policy co-ordination between institutions
Uzbekistan launches new banknote as inflation erodes value
New 50,000 som note is five times the value of the next largest banknote; security features include raised text, colour-changing foils and windows
BoE’s ‘difficult decision’ to stick with animal fat substrate
UK central bank rejects the palm oil alternative, despite successful trials; the decision is based on cost and sustainability concerns