Financial inclusion
Banknote forecasting with big data tools on the rise
Three-quarters of central bank currency departments yet to use big data
Emerging economies more likely to employ access-to-cash policies
Central banks split on access-to-cash policies
Mobile money was ‘crucial’ for low-income countries during the pandemic – IMF
Data shows mobile and internet banking transactions grew for all income levels
Microfinance still key to inclusion despite flaws – RBI deputy
Excessive debt and “coercive recovery practices” demand reform, says Rajeshwar Rao
Nigeria launches ‘digital naira’ pilot
Central bank issues $1.2 million in retail CBDC after clampdown on private crypto
Fed board member says US community banks under threat
Michelle Bowman says smaller community institutions play vital role for ethnic minorities
Fed’s Quarles says there is no case for a US CBDC
Central banks should not waste resource or risk “significant disruption” to the banking system
Podcast: reflecting on CBDC issuance in the Caribbean
Co-founder of Bitt, Simon Chantry: the ECCB is ready for issuance of central bank digital currency
US bank mergers have not cut branch access – Cleveland Fed
Despite fall in banking firms, number of branches has grown, research finds
Fed joins Network for Indigenous Inclusion
Australian, Canadian and NZ central banks established group earlier this year
Cubero calls for expanded IMF role
Costa Rica governor endorses Resilience and Stability Trust proposal
Laos central bank to partner with Soramitsu on CBDC study
The study is said to begin as early as this month, but a launch of CBDC remains unsure
Strategies for change: central banks’ quest for diversity
Dedicated diversity strategies remain uncommon among central banks, despite growing recognition of the need for better minority representation
Bitcoin becomes legal tender in El Salvador
Observers warn move could further destabilise the fragile Salvadoran economy
Kuwait launches new interbank payment system
Transactions will be instantaneous and payment data encrypted, governor says
DCash: motivations, challenges, and lessons from the first monetary union CBDC pilot
Having worked on its Digital Currency Management System since 2016, Bitt has launched the first synthetic CBDC in Barbados, followed by another first in the Eastern Caribbean Currency Union in March this year, with more ahead
RBI launches financial inclusion index
Metric based on 97 indicators designed to assess access, usage and quality of financial services
Digital revolution: perks of a global Chinese CBDC
Chinese central bank digital currency has the potential to boost the renminbi’s internationalisation further, but only if international investors have access.
Spain’s interior vulnerable to loss of cash access – Bank of Spain
Rural areas have older populations and rely more on cash, but banks are closing branches
Criteria for systemically important payment infrastructure differs
Thirty-one out of 37 central banks said they designate systemically important payment infrastructure
UK public has ‘reasonable’ access to cash, regulators say
But pandemic made it difficult for people to access and pay with cash, new research finds
FCA asked to investigate ‘unwarranted’ bank account freezing
Parliamentary committee concerned AI may have caused ‘inappropriate bias’
Microfinance improves access to bank credit – Fed paper
Study finds Rwandan initiative built credit record and made bank loans more accessible