Financial inclusion
EBA’s Campa on simplifying EU regulations and supervising stablecoins
The departing pan-European supervision chief speaks about advancing the banking union, streamlining the implantation of new rules, financial resilience and why he is stepping down early
The next step for Africa’s digital economy: fast, inclusive payments
Central banks should lead policy for a payments transformation that benefits all levels of society, argue Jean Pesme and Michael Wiegand
The cost of inaction on wholesale CBDCs
A gap exists between demand in capital markets and most central banks’ research priorities as evolving risks accrue
Austria boosts rural access to cash with 120 new ATMs
Central bank provides cash machines to communities with at least 500 inhabitants
Boris Vujčić on Croatia’s economic journey, the digital euro and the Governing Council
The Croatian National Bank (HNB) governor speaks with Christopher Jeffery about managing financial risks, the pros and cons of euro adoption, payment system reform and the use of real-time data
Paraguay’s Carvallo Spalding on resilience and cutting its inflation target
The Central Bank of Paraguay (BCP) governor speaks about lowering the inflation target to 3.5%, opening up to foreign investors and promoting inclusion through digital payments
Thailand approves its first virtual banks
Thai, South Korean and Chinese firms will operate online-only lenders, central bank announces
Riksbank: everyone should be able to pay in cash
Bank welcomes government report calling for payments in physical currency to be facilitated
Book notes: Smart money: how digital currencies will win the new Cold War, by Brunello Rosa with Casey Larsen
This alarmist book, although lacking nuance, provides a lucid account of how CBDCs could play a decisive role in geopolitical dominance
Can central banks cut remittance fees to sustainable levels?
More action is needed to reach the UN’s 3% global average cost target. But central banks face limits on what they can do
Central Banking Awards 2025: third group of winners released
Paraguay recognised for market infrastructure and IMF for work on AI, as green and FMI awards also unveiled
Fast payment systems enhance financial inclusion – BIS paper
Researchers examine systems’ spread in Latin America and Caribbean
Bank of Canada study calls for standard accessibility practices
Academics say current banking infrastructure is inadequate for people with disabilities
Confidence in stability matters for financial inclusion – IMF paper
Study of central Asia finds good governance increases effectiveness of many policies
Madagascar’s governor on targeting M3 over inflation
Central Bank of Madagascar head Aivo Andrianarivelo speaks about introducing an interest rate corridor, diversifying from dollars to gold, using instant payments to bolster inclusion and drawing on IMF sustainability funding
ADB approves $500 million loan to Indonesia
Policy-based facility focuses on expanding vulnerable groups’ access to financial services
ECCB deputy governor warns of geo-social fragmentation
Valda Henry says US election result has increased uncertainty among small island nations
E-krona adviser on offline trials, legislative changes and rollouts of CBDCs
Sveriges Riksbank’s Johan Schmalholz speaks about latest CBDC developments on sidelines of Central Banking’s Windsor training series
Mamo Mihretu on the radical reform of central banking in Ethiopia
Ethiopian governor speaks about simultaneous monetary policy and exchange rate reform, opening the country’s financial system and a fundamental reset for Africa’s second most populous economy
Malaysia’s Zeti on the key skills needed to be a successful central banker
The Bank Negara veteran speaks about leadership skills, lessons from the AFC and 1MDB crises, her scepticism of inflation targeting, and how the Asia School of Business' masters synthesises theory with practical realities
Working group minutes: central banks weigh CBDC design choices
Central bankers discuss CBDC design elements, adoption rates and cross-border payments