FMI
IMF paper compares Islamic and conventional finance
Working paper examines returns on Islamic and conventional finance; finds differences in returns are not statistically significant
FSB proposes future legal entity identifier system
Financial Stability Board releases report on implementing a global legal entity identifier system for the financial sector; wants system to be independently functional by March 2013
Riksbank reveals details of new currency series release
Release dates for updated banknotes and coins revealed by Riksbank; first new banknotes will enter circulation in October 2015
Estonia begins Sepa migration work
Estonian Payment Environment Forum holds meeting; attendees affirm commitment to ensuring a smooth transition to Sepa-compliant payments and settlements in Estonia
RBA outlines payments system development plan
Australian central bank sets out areas of priority for advancing the payments system in the country; concludes two-year review process
Norges Bank assesses payments system
Annual Report on Payment Systems 2011 finds speed of payment transactions to be lacking; system in general is nonetheless efficient says deputy governor
Central banks urged to increase monitoring of retail payment innovation
Central banks may need to improve their data collection and research efforts to ensure they are monitoring the latest developments in retail payments, according to new CPSS report
RBA governor criticises ‘dated’ payments systems
Glenn Stevens warns Australia has fallen behind other countries by not offering real-time electronic transfers; notes task the central bank faces in matching improved global regulatory environment
UK police seize more than £4 million in counterfeit coins
Metropolitan police uncover large counterfeit operation in UK; some of the fake coins may already be in circulation
Bosnia and Herzegovina refreshes banknote pool
Central Bank of Bosnia and Herzegovina announces injection of fresh banknotes to replace worn-out ones; notes match European ones for paper and security feature standards
Counterfeits found in Namibia days after new currency launch
Bank of Namibia reports discovery of low-quality forged banknotes following issuance of new series; reminds public to be vigilant in checking for improved security features when handling cash
Central Bank of Azerbaijan tackles counterfeiting
Central bank hosts workshop on combating currency counterfeiting; cash managers from banks and law enforcement agencies are told the local currency has become "strong"
Bahrain executive director on growth of Islamic funds
Importance of Islamic finance highlighted by Central Bank of Bahrain executive director; considers methods to encourage growth in the industry
Bullion coin featuring menorah released in Israel
Third bullion coin in the Jerusalem Gold series is released; issuance in celebration of Jerusalem Day in Israel
Swift chooses head of marketing as new chief
Gottfried Leibbrandt confirmed as successor to Lázaro Campos at global financial communications, products and services company
State Bank of Pakistan decides to implement IBAN
Pakistan to see International Bank Account Number system fully in place by June 2013; central bank hopes change will make payments more efficient in the country
Cheques secure place in Australian payments system
Australian Payments Clearing Association finds no reason to consider closing the cheque clearing system in Australia
Hungary issues medieval gold florin coin series
National Bank of Hungary issues first in a series of medieval gold florin commemorative coins; both normal and piedfort versions available
Chan highlights ‘strong business case’ for renminbi use
Norman Chan tells a conference in Tokyo that payments in renminbi can increase the efficiency of growing trade activity between Japan and China
New coins celebrate leadership change in Taiwan
Taiwanese central bank announces minting of gold and silver commemorative coins in recognition of the new president and vice-president
New Zambian banknotes will not feature a portrait
Bank of Zambia confirms rebased notes will not portray the image of any person; businesses urged to update systems ahead of changeover date
Central Bank of Ireland issues new €20 gold coin
Irish central bank launches commemorative €20 coin; monastic art features on the coin, of which 12,000 will be issued
Bahrain modernises cheque truncation system
Central Bank of Bahrain announces same day cheque clearing system will go live on May 13; system is part of initiative to improve efficiency and confidence in cheques
First CSDs sign T2S Framework Agreement
Senior European Central Bank officials commend first nine European central securities depositories to sign Framework Agreement for T2S central settlement project