Currency
Reserve Bank of Malawi issues new highest denomination banknote
Central bank issues new denomination as inflation and depreciation continue; 2,000 kwacha note will enter circulation next month
India scraps two banknotes overnight
The joint initiative by the central bank and government will replace two highest denominations with a new Rs500 and Rs2000, entering circulation tomorrow after an unscheduled bank holiday
RBI to force banks to dispense low-denomination notes
Reserve Bank of India says banks must now set a proportion of ATMs to dispense only lower-value notes, after earlier efforts prove inadequate
Malaysia has work to do to improve renminbi hub status – assistant governor
Adnan Zaylani Mohamad Zahid says deepening Malaysian renminbi markets is a priority, and the central bank has plans to offer support
RBS issues first polymer banknotes
Polymer note printed on De La Rue ‘Safeguard’ substrate is first in RBS's new series; Scottish novelist and poet Nan Shepherd features on the front of the note
Philippines central bank adopts renminbi as reserve asset
Central bank joins a cohort of countries adopting the Chinese currency as a standalone asset; governor says it is an important development for a nation so dependent on Chinese trade
Book notes: The curse of cash, by Kenneth S Rogoff
A well-written book and sincerely argued, but it is based on weak economic analysis and inadequate economic and political history
Serbian central bank report indicates slow progress on reversing ‘euroisation’
Most loans and deposits in the country are still denominated in foreign currency, National Bank of Serbia report shows
Bahamas launches new banknote series with innovative security thread
Central Bank of Bahamas launches “Crisp Evolution” series, the first “circulation banknote” to feature new colour-changing security thread; $10 note to enter circulation immediately
Inclusion of renminbi in SDR is ‘symbolic’, says Bernanke
Former Fed chair sees inclusion of renminbi in SDR basket as a ‘symbolic’ gesture rather than a major shift; Eswar Prasad argues currency will never be a safe haven
Crane invests $100 million in new banknote plant
New banknote facility in Malta to add to existing operations in Sweden and the US, employing 200 people
Indonesia to launch new banknote and coin series with a ‘bang’
New banknote and coin series featuring Indonesian “national heroes” to launch later this year; smallest coin will not feature in new series
Mark Carney: it would ‘make sense’ to get rid of UK penny
“What’s the point of the penny?” – children quiz BoE governor; Carney says as inflation rises, there might be reason to abolish the low-value coin