Banknotes
RBI signals end to cash controls
Central bank prepares to lift restrictions on cash withdrawals but shift from “demonetisation” to “remonetisation” is only partially complete
IMF: Indian demonetisation to have ‘limited impact’ on Nepal
Some households have been affected, the IMF says, but holdings of Indian rupees were “small”; the Central Bank of Nepal is offering an exchange facility to those wanting to exchange cash
Polymer banknote provider Innovia bought for $845 million
Innovia bought by Canadian competitor following a “successful” year; CCL to build on the polymer provider's expertise in the field
Venezuela’s Maduro backtracks on bolivar withdrawal
Venezuelan currency crisis continues with delay of new series and re-integration of 100 bolivar note, as president blames “international sabotage”
Macedonian notes: world’s first security thread in long window
New designs entering circulation feature De La Rue’s Kinetic StarChrome; central bank also begins withdrawal of the D5,000 note
Sama unveils new banknote designs with updated features
Six denominations to feature new security thread and improved features for the visually impaired; new coin design also launched by Saudi central bank
Venezuela removes largest banknote amid contraband concerns
Government authorises removal of 100 bolivar bill to combat “mafias”; nation also closes border with Colombia amid “economic war”
Civil rights activist to appear on new Canadian $10 banknote
Viola Desmond will appear on new C$10 note, to be printed in 2018; Bank of Canada to repeat "bankNOTEable” campaign when seeking candidates for new C$5 note
Ink rubbing off notes ‘quite normal’, says Zimbabwe governor
Despite public outcry, governor says bond notes have so far been a success; launch of second tranche to bring total value of bond notes in circulation to $17 million
Venezuela central bank launches new banknotes amid soaring inflation
The bolivar has weakened to unprecedented levels as inflation soars and political instability engulfs the nation; new note series’ highest denomination is 200 times larger than current highest
Tallow controversy forces Innovia to look at alternatives
Innovia to seek alternative to tallow as traces of animal extracts in the Bank of England's new ‘fiver’ sparks global review; Canadian and Australian banknotes also contain traces in guardian substrate
Seychelles issues first full banknote series in 18 years
The central bank spends around $2.6 million producing new series; SCR10 note transformed into coin in the new series, while the SCR500 note gets a facelift
RBI moves to soak up liquidity generated by cash crisis
Deposits of old banknotes have led to surge in liquidity, which is now showing up as pressure on the bond market
Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe releases ‘bond notes’ amid public anger
Bond notes to be released in smaller denominations first, central bank explains, to help reassure general public; social media reflects fears over new currency with some retailers already refusing to accept it
Norway unveils final banknote designs
Banknote designs eschew traditional inclusion of portraits, opting instead for geometric patterns and coastal images
RBI forms task force as cash crisis continues
Authorities find ATMs must be recalibrated to accept new notes, hampering efforts to respond to cash shortages
Reserve Bank of Malawi issues new highest denomination banknote
Central bank issues new denomination as inflation and depreciation continue; 2,000 kwacha note will enter circulation next month
India scraps two banknotes overnight
The joint initiative by the central bank and government will replace two highest denominations with a new Rs500 and Rs2000, entering circulation tomorrow after an unscheduled bank holiday
RBI to force banks to dispense low-denomination notes
Reserve Bank of India says banks must now set a proportion of ATMs to dispense only lower-value notes, after earlier efforts prove inadequate
RBS issues first polymer banknotes
Polymer note printed on De La Rue ‘Safeguard’ substrate is first in RBS's new series; Scottish novelist and poet Nan Shepherd features on the front of the note
Book notes: The curse of cash, by Kenneth S Rogoff
A well-written book and sincerely argued, but it is based on weak economic analysis and inadequate economic and political history
Bahamas launches new banknote series with innovative security thread
Central Bank of Bahamas launches “Crisp Evolution” series, the first “circulation banknote” to feature new colour-changing security thread; $10 note to enter circulation immediately
Crane invests $100 million in new banknote plant
New banknote facility in Malta to add to existing operations in Sweden and the US, employing 200 people
Indonesia to launch new banknote and coin series with a ‘bang’
New banknote and coin series featuring Indonesian “national heroes” to launch later this year; smallest coin will not feature in new series