Financial Stability
Review of Financial crises and what to do about them
Barry Eichengreen finds a middle way between past policy failings and current lofty aims in his financial crisis handbook, says Benedict Mander.
Development of the Saudi banking system
SAMA has been actively involved in regulation and supervision, and has taken the lead in the development of the payments system in Saudi Arabia.
A new Bank of Mongolia
Bank of Mongolia has assumed a pivotal role in transforming the former planned economy, reports Blair Baker in Ulaanbaatar.
How to get growth in Japan
What Japan needs is a massive boost, not to the monetary base, but to domestic credit creation. Richard Werner outlines how this could be brought about.
Thailand's credit card rate to be capped at 18%
THAILAND - Interest rates and charges for credit cards issued by both banks and non-banks should be capped at 18%, says Finance Minister Somkid Jatusripitak.
Thai central bank and govt to discuss credit cards
THAILAND - The Bank of Thailand and the Finance Ministry will meet this week to finalise details of a new regulatory structure for non-bank credit card issuers.
Major revolution in Nigeria's bank industry begins
NIGERIA - A major revolution in Nigeria's banking industry began Monday with the automation of cheque clearing among all 90 banks in the country. The launching of the Nigerian Automated Clearing System (NACS), an arm of the Nigeria Inter-Bank Settlement…
Zambian central bank to introduce high value notes
ZAMBIA - The Bank of Zambia said Saturday it has embarked on a national currency restructuring program that will ultimately result in the launching of high value notes in 50,000kwacha (US$10.99)and 20,000kwacha denominations.
New Afghan banknotes go into circulation in north
AFGHANISTAN - New Afghan banknotes have been officially put in circulation in the northern zone. The ceremony started with a recitation from the holy Koran.
Non-bank credit card rules due in Thailand
THAILAND - Financial regulators were directed to draft measures to regulate credit cards issued by non-bank institutions by next month. Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra yesterday chaired a meeting on a proposed new credit card bill.
Polymer notes not now: RBI
INDIA - The Reserve Bank of India has said that there is no immediate plan to introduce polymer or plastic currency notes to replace the existing paper notes.
Central Bank of Russia offers more zodiac coins
RUSSIA - The Central Bank of Russia will issue more coins of the Zodiac series, starting tomorrow. It will be Scorpio now-silver two-rouble pieces and gold 25 roubles. Up to 20,000 silver coins will appear in circulation, and up to 50,000 gold, said the…
New Afghan currency to come into circulation 7 Oct
AFGHANISTAN - The head of Da Afghanistan Bank, the central bank, Dr Anwar al-Haq Ahadi, has said the new currency will be put into circulation on 15 Mizan [7 October 2002] and said that the exchange process of the old currency for the new one will be…
Afghan trade minister speaks of new currency
AFGHANISTAN - The trade minister of Afghanistan, Sayd Mostafa Kazemi, has said that Afghanistan has a positive view on capital and capital investment. He also said the new currency of Afghanistan will be a credible currency and our central bank has the…
Plastic Rs 500-notes coming soon in India
INDIA - Plastic money will soon gain currency in India. Currency notes, printed on a special, thin PVC (poly vinyl chloride) film, are likely to replace their paper counterparts from 2003.
Testimony of Fed V Chairman Roger Ferguson, 25 Sep
SPEECH - In his testimony titled 'The proposed Check Clearing for the 21st Century Act' Ferguson said that although an increasing number of payments are being made electronically, it was clear that checks will continue to play an important role in the US…
India's central bank opens note exchange centres
INDIA - The Reserve Bank of India has opened centres for the exchange of soiled notes at its three branches in Mumbai.
Payments operation to start in Serbia, Montenegro
YUGOSLAVIA - Yugoslav National Bank Governor Mladjan Dinkic has announced setting up of the payments operations system between Serbia and Montenegro soon.
MAS issues new risk-based capital requirements
SINGAPORE - With effect from 1 October 2002, holders of Capital Markets Services (CMS) licences will be subject to new risk-based capital requirements under a subsidiary legislation of the Securities and Futures Act 2001.
Policy issues for central banks in retail payments
REPORT - This consultative report published 18 September explores policy issues for central banks that arise from current trends in retail payments markets. It puts forward four public policy goals for maintaining and promoting efficiency and safety in…
Central Bank of Costa Rica installs .NET
COSTA RICA - The Central Bank of Costa Rica has migrated its interbank electronic payments and transaction system (SINPE) to Microsoft Corp.'s .NET technologies.
MasterCard follows Visa in RBA court challenge
AUSTRALIA - Like Visa, MasterCard revealed on Friday that it will appeal the Reserve Bank of Australia's proposed changes to the credit card system.
Visa plans legal action against RBA
AUSTRALIA - The largest credit card company operating in Australia, Visa International, has launched an unprecedented legal action against the Reserve Bank of Australia to overturn reforms Visa claims will discourage its 10 million card holders from…
RBA Press Release
PRESS RELEASE - Reform of credit card schemes in Australia, 19 September.