Payments
Asian banks vulnerable to fintech disruption, report finds
Banks reliant on transaction fees will struggle to compete with fintech firms who will offer cheaper alternatives; banks in HK, Korea and Singapore all at risk
Instant payments crucial to stop crypto disruption – Mersch
ECB board member reiterates concerns around viability of crypto-currencies, while encouraging banks to adopt instant payment networks
Bank of Canada paper investigates the ‘burden of coins’
Research sheds light on consumer behaviour when making low-value transactions with cash, suggesting cards more likely to be used if large amount of coins will be received
Singapore broadens push into e-payments
Singapore expands payments regulation frameworks and launches a common QR code for e-payments
San Francisco Fed study: cash is not dead yet
Demand for notes and coins is “strong”, says the study, with cash in circulation growing in the majority of nations
Bank of Israel invites real-time payments proposals
Central bank envisages “at least” one real-time payments infrastructure, to be developed and operated by a third party
TCH launches real-time payment platform in US
Firm launches US’s first real-time payment system, cutting transaction times from days to seconds
Singapore unveils cross-border fintech push
Singapore plans to work with central banks in Hong Kong, Canada and Thailand on fintech
DLT set to make central banks ‘obsolete’ as payment operators – report
Second phase of MAS’s Project Ubin deemed a success as central bank manages to deploy RTGS system on DLT fabric
Hong Kong seeks mobile wallet capabilities in China
Authorities in drive to ensure Hong Kong mobile phone e-payments work in China; faster payments roll-out due next year but no urgent rush to go cashless, says HKMA official
BoE to run Chaps payment system
UK central bank moves to “direct delivery model” to operate entire high-value payment system as it looks to implement RTGS overhaul
Book notes: Hole in the Wall, by James Shepherd-Barron
Cash machines have changed the way cash is managed, but is there a future for such machines in a world looking to go cashless?
Payments overhaul under way in Aruba
Central bank to give up clearing responsibilities to oversee new payments infrastructure; consumer behaviour will be a challenge, bank says
Hong Kong and Singapore to collaborate on fintech
The first joint initiative of the two rival cities is to link the trade finance platforms with a DLT-backed interface
Cambodia launches first phase of payment inclusion network
New network will allow customers greater access to financial services through ATMs and POS to make interbank transactions
Kenya’s digital transformation
The use of innovative digital financial services has transformed financial inclusion in Kenya, writes the chairman of the Central Bank of Kenya
CBN orders banks to form central customer watchlist
Nigerian central bank ramps up payment system risk management with core customer database, which will put bank customers on a ‘watchlist’ in instances of misconduct
Fed’s Powell: banks still have important role in payments
Fintech is disrupting the sector, but banks still form a major part of payments infrastructure, so they must be included in work on faster payments, says governor
Canada’s Project Jasper to explore clearing of securities in third phase
Central bank teams up with new partner for phase three of DLT project, with results expected in May 2018
Riksbank simulates a payments crisis scenario
Central bank deems offline payments and withdrawals a suitable alternative to credit cards
Cleland outlines uncertainty of future cash demand
BoE chief cashier says people will move away from cash, but the rate of change is uncertain
Kuroda: future need not be fully centralised or decentralised
BoJ governor says both approaches to market infrastructure have pros and cons, and it is not necessary to have one or the other
Payments evolution will result in bank business model changes
Mid-sized banks will have to transform business models in order to remain relevant, says Swift, as fintech and globalisation threaten traditional practices
MAS working to keep crypto-currencies and ICOs under control
Authority is mulling how to respond to the growth of crypto-currencies and initial coin offerings