FMI
Bank of Israel unveils details of new shekel banknotes
New banknote series to include security features that are ‘among the world’s most advanced’; first notes due to be introduced in second half of 2013
National Bank of Rwanda highlights payments progress
The number of ATMs, points of sale and debit cards in use has grown rapidly
MAS moves to bolster payments supervision
Bill introduced into parliament to amend Payments Act would enable Monetary Authority of Singapore to act faster in cases of emergency
Finnish paper proposes further ATM regulation
Largest ATM provider in Finland has foreign fee it can charge capped; socially optimal level only reached with regulated interchange fee
Bank of Canada issues C$20 polymer bank note
Canadian central bank moves to replace most popular – and most frequently counterfeited – banknote as part of its migration to polymer currency
Greek mythology character to adorn new euro notes
New ‘Europa’ series of bank notes unveiled by ECB with five-euro note bearing the image of a Greek mythological princess first to be introduced in May 2013
Kenyan coin shortage denied by central bank
Central Bank of Kenya insists there are sufficient coins in circulation; urges public to accept coins ‘without reservation’
Local trade repositories are necessary, say HKMA’s Lee
The benefits of local trade repositories outweigh the possible disadvantages of multiple reporting requirements, says executive director of HKMA’s financial infrastructure unit
US reform could slash $150bn payments bill, says Fed’s Pianalto
Cleveland Fed president Sandra Pianalto explains the Fed’s vision of how the US payments system will operate in a decade; says UK offers valuable lesson on speed
Brazil second in world for non-cash payments
World Payments Report reveals Brazil is second only to the US for volume of non-cash payments; use of electronic and mobile payments shows ‘exponential growth’
Ethiopia to overhaul payments system
The central bank of Ethiopia plans to introduce a new system to centralise payments and communication in the country within a year; $3.6 million contract awarded to Indian tech company
Australian CCP cannot delay margin application any further, says RBA
Reserve Bank of Australia says ASX Clear’s deadline for the implementation of equity margins has been extended but cannot be pushed back any further
RBI may force move to electronic payments
Reserve Bank of India plans to channel payments providers into 'less-cash society' through regulation if necessary, according to new report
Zambia unveils new currency features
The Bank of Zambia reveals images and security features of new, rebased, currency; now comprises six banknotes and four coins
ECB research finds European retail payment costs about 1% of GDP
Study measures costs of retail payments across a sample of European countries; finds costs of retail payments account for a significant proportion of GDP
Greater use of renminbi will promote global stability, says Malaysia’s Zeti
China’s rising prominence in the global economy requires a dynamic response from policy-makers, says Bank Negara Malaysia governor; use of renminbi will promote global financial stability
‘Public inertia’ a sticking point for e-payments, Bank of Lithuania finds
Bank of Lithuania investigates costs involved in providing payments systems; suggests ‘public inertia’ is slowing the switch to electronic
RBA unveils details of new banknote programme
Reserve Bank of Australia releases details of plans to improve security features on its polymer banknotes. Scandal-hit Note Printing Australia to produce the new bills
Zambian governor calls for shared mobile banking platform
Michael Gondwe discusses the role of mobile banking in financial inclusion; says cooperation between payment systems will help widen access
RBI official highlights stumbling blocks to ‘less-cash society’
G Padmanabhan says the development of prepaid transactions in India is ‘not very heartening’ despite non-banks being admitted into the market
BoE releases banknotes bearing Chris Salmon’s signature
Signature of the current chief cashier of the Bank of England to appear on new banknotes; production method for notes altered
Riksbank unveils designs for new coins
Redesigned Swedish coins to have sun, wind and water theme; will enter circulation in October 2016
State Bank of Vietnam forms payments advice board
New board will advise central bank governor on payments issues; will conduct research and make proposals for ways to improve Vietnamese systems among other duties
Sarb reveals details of new banknotes
South African Reserve Bank initiates national campaign about introduction of new banknotes; currency bearing image of Nelson Mandela will be in circulation by end of year