FMI
Bahrain's payment system a success
The Central Bank of Bahrain said that its real time gross settlement (RTGS) payment system introduced on 9 August, has "dramatically speeded up the flow of money", leading to a more efficient financial sector.
Israel launches same-day clearing system
The Bank of Israel launched its real-time gross settlement system (RTGS) for bank transfers on 3 September. This is part of the central bank's reforms of Israel's payment and clearing systems.
Thailand encourages e-payment
The Bank of Thailand plans to reduce cash payments and cheque payments by promoting e-payment with consumers and the public and private sectors.
Australia announces ATM reforms
The Reserve Bank of Australia said it will introduce reforms that will give the public more information on the cost of using ATMs.
Banknotes remain important - SA chief economist
Monde Mnyande, the chief economist of the South African Reserve Bank said that the ratio of coins and notes in circulation to gross domestic product has risen since 2004, after the ratio had declined steadily since the mid seventies.
Nigeria halts currency redenomination
The Central Bank of Nigeria has suspended its redenomination of the Naira at the request of the country's president, Alhaji Umaru Musa Yar'Adua.
ECB publishes "Blue Book"
The 2007 edition of the Blue Book, which describes the main payment and securities settlement systems in the EU, comes in two volumes: one on countries in the euro area, the other for non-euro area countries.
Nigeria's strategy for the new naira
Charles Soludo, the governor of the Central bank of Nigeria, sets out plans for the currency redenomination.
Nigeria announces plans for new naira
Charles Soludo, the governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, said Tuesday that the central bank is to drop two zeros from the Naira and introduce a new set of notes and coins.
China's first payment system development report
The People's Bank of China issued the first report on developments in the country's payment systems on Tuesday. The report reveals the progress, relevant data and the future policy orientation of the payment systems in the country.
Philippines: e-rediscouting system
In a speech made on the launch of an electronic rediscounting system, Amando Tetangco Jr, governor of the central bank of the Philippines, said that the system would expand access to credit of countryside areas in the Mindanao region.
Forces shaping payments markets - report
The August letter from the Chicago Fed summarises the major findings from a recent conference on changes in payments systems.
ECB calls for new debit card schemes
The European Central Bank (ECB) would like to see the emergence of new debit card schemes to rival the dominance of Maestro.
BIS report on foreign exchange settlement risk
A new report from the BIS surveys foreign exchange settlement risk in over 100 banks and other institutions active in forex markets.
Turkey's payment systems
The Bank for International Settlements (BIS) published a report on payments systems in Turkey on 3 July.
Shift to e-payments leads to Fed job cuts
The US Federal Reserve reductions in cheque processing is likely to result in more than 210 jobs being cut at the Minneapolis Fed, as consumers shift from paper checks to electronic payments.
Fed to streamline cheque processing
As consumers shift to electronic payments, the Federal Reserve Banks set out plans to streamline cheque processing.
RBA's Lowe on the 2007/08 review of payments
Speaking at the 4th International Consumer Credit Card Summit in Sydney, Philip Lowe set out the Payment System Board's plans for its review this year.
Target2 progress report
With all the hype surrounding the ECB's T2S, it is easy to forget that the launch of the Single Shared Platform (SSP) for the Target2 payments system is less than five months away.
BoE's governor blames banks for £5 note shortage
Mervyn King, governor of the Bank of England, criticised the short supply of "fivers" in his annual Mansion House speech on 20 June.
Chicago Fed paper on mobile payments
Will mobile payments go the way of the stalled smart-card revolution of the 1990s? This Chicago Fed letter looks at these new payments fit into the larger payment system.
Australia's payments system review
The Reserve Bank of Australia formally initiated a consultation process for the review of its payments system on 29 May, with the release of a paper titled 'Reform of Australia's Payments System: Issues for the 2007/08 Review.'
A new RTGS system for Iraq
The Iraqi central bank has reportedly started with the implementation of a new electronic real-time gross settlement payment system.
Papers for Kansas Fed payments event
Non-banks are becoming increasingly prominent in payments systems around the world. The three-day conference look at the implications of this heightened presence for innovation, competition and risk.