News/Financial Stability
Introduction of New Series Bank of Japan Notes
NOTE ISSUE - The Ministry of Finance has decided and announced the manufacture of new series of the 10,000 yen, 5,000 yen, and 1,000 yen Bank of Japan notes in order to improve their security against counterfeiting.
ECB report euro notes proving tough to counterfeit
GERMANY - The new euro bank note has proved bad news for forgers: less than a tenth of the previous number of counterfeit notes in the eurozone has been detected in the first six months in which the new currency has circulated.
CCE to move US$10mn this year - Peru
PERU - Peru's electronic payment association (CCE) expects its online wire transfer and credit card payments facility to move US$10mn this year, Peruvian daily Gestion reported on Tuesday.
Postal body gets BOJ online clearance
JAPAN - The public corporation that will replace the state-run postal services next April in Japan will be able to settle accounts with private banks in real time, officials said over the weekend. By gaining access to the Bank of Japan's transaction…
European Central Bank Consultation Announcement
ANNOUNCEMENT - Oversight standards for euro retail payment systems, 8 July.
Oversight standard for euro retail payment systems
REPORT - European Central Bank Document for public consultation, 8 July.
Ecuador's banks adopt electronic interbank system
ECUADOR - Ecuadorian banks have 60 days as of 27 June to adapt their systems to the central bank's electronic interbank payment system, Ecuadorian financial daily El Comercio reported.
Indian banks woo credit card users
INDIA - India's largest commercial bank plans a credit card revolution that it hopes will increase its share of the retail banking market by 47%.
Bank plans to unveil Islamic 'credit card'
UAE - National Bank of Sharjah (NBS), which enjoys the rare distinction of being the world's first and the only conventional bank to have converted into an Islamic bank, is planning to launch an Islamic 'credit' card, reports Gulf News.
Credit card boom assessed in Thailand
THAILAND - Recent research suggests that changes made by Thailand's central bank to the requirements for card applicants could double the number of credit cards held in the country by the end of the year.
Armenia to reinforce protective features of notes
ARMENIA - From 1 July 2002, the Central Bank of Armenia will put into circulation 1,000-dram banknotes with an enhanced protection system and a number of changes in its design.
Malaysia to introduce smart cards next year
MALAYSIA - While commercial banks will reimburse those who had money illegally withdrawn from automated teller machines, Bank Negara has directed banks to replace magnetic strips with chip technology from next year.
Black rivals aim to take the shine off gold cards
UK - When it comes to credit cards, black is the new gold reported Tuesday's Financial Times. National Westminster Bank has launched the first of a new class of premium cards aimed at the country's highest earners and designed to leave the gold card…
Federal Reserve Board Press Release
PRESS RELEASE - Joint Press Release by the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System and the Bureau of Engraving and Printing, 20 June.
China's e-banks gaining popularity
CHINA - At least 2.5m Chinese "netizens" - about 23 per cent of the country's regular Internet users - are likely to use electronic banking services, said a recent AC Nielsen survey on e-banking, reports the New China News Agency.
US brings colour to new 'greenback' notes
US - The end of the greenback could be close, it is reported. The US government on Thursday announced plans to introduce other colours on dollar bills to help tourists tell the different notes apart.
Bank of Canada's promotional video
VIDEO - the Bank of Canada had released an online video detailing how the bank maintains the value of the Canadian dollar.
Euro goes to court over trade mark dispute
EUROPE - The European Commission will be forced to defend the design of the euro symbol in court today less than six months after the introduction of the single currency. The emblem has become the subject of a trademark battle with Thomas Cook and…
Chinese central banker - card development vital
CHINA - The Vice-Governor of the People's Bank of China Xiao Gang said Tuesday that the increased acceptance of banking cards was vital to raising commercial banks' competitiveness and facilitating daily life for the public.
Egypt cb opens new check clearing house
EGYPT - The new electronic Cairo Clearing House at the Central Bank of Egypt (CBE) was inaugurated yesterday. Its services will be available to banks nationwide and its computerized system will be capable of clearing up to 100,000 cheques a day.
JD1 coin to be replaced by new banknote in Jordan
JORDAN - The Central Bank of Jordan (CBJ) is expected to soon circulate new banknotes, to replace the current round JD1 coins, following numerous cases of counterfeit detected by security and financial authorities, a bank official said on Tuesday.
Bank of England News Release
NEWS RELEASE - Serial Numbers of £5 Banknotes, 27 May.
Problem with ink found on new Bank of England note
UK - The Bank of England began an urgent investigation Monday after several people reported that serial numbers on new, anti-counterfeit bank notes had rubbed off on their hands.
Bank of England News Release
NEWS RELEASE - New Design £5 Banknotes, 21 May.