FMI
Bank of Namibia replaces ‘ageing’ banknotes one year after issuance
Central bank reissued the lowest denomination banknotes in its 2012 banknote series after they were found to be ‘ageing faster than expected’
Richmond Fed study shows 'dramatic crossover' in payment methods of US citizens
Study evaluates Fed data tracking 2,500 participants making close to 13,000 payments during three days in October 2012, shows many seniors sticking to mail as main payment method
Germany pips UK to renminbi clearing deal
Deutsche Bundesbank signs MoU with People’s Bank of China three days before the Bank of England; agreements pave way for first two clearing banks outside Asia
BoE and PBoC to ink deal on London RMB clearing bank
Central banks will sign memorandum of understanding next week that will pave way for London to establish the first offshore renminbi clearing bank outside Asia
Fed finds 75% of US citizens reluctant to pay by phone
While mobile banking continues to grow, many consumers are growing more sceptical of services and the security of the technology, according to a Fed survey
Bank of Canada deputy says Libor and FX scandals have damaged trust
Bank of Canada deputy governor Tim Lane says problems of benchmark rigging must be addressed through mix of 'reform and replacement'
East Africa takes more steps on path to integration
East African Community agrees to expand its relationship with a regional counterpart; implements new project to harmonise payment and settlement systems
Financial inclusion is prompting shift in ‘the landscape of central banking’
Reserve Bank of Fiji governor believes central banks have taken a ‘lead role’ in driving financial inclusion; points to new departments dedicated to the cause
RBA reveals details of ‘next generation’ banknote project
Quarterly bulletin gives insights into plans for the first Australian banknote change in 20 years, including new print methods, security features, stakeholder engagement and logistics
UK to introduce ‘world's most secure coin', claims the Royal Mint
New £1 coin first ever to feature banknote security technology; ‘could potentially change the way coins are made in the future', UK's Royal Mint claims
Danish central bank likens Bitcoins to 'glass beads'
National Bank of Denmark issues note highlighting the differences between Bitcoins and fiat currencies; stresses that virtual currencies have no inherent value
BoE praises implementation of new loss-allocation rules for clearing members
Bank's first annual report on supervision of financial market infrastructure since assuming oversight responsibilities for central counterparties last April
PBoC doubles reminbi trading band
The People's Bank of China announced this weekend it will double the renminbi's trading band to let it fluctuate 2% either side of the bank's daily reference rate
HKMA rebukes UBS over attempts to rig Hibor
Hong Kong central bank finds six traders at UBS tried to influence the bank’s Hibor submissions between 2006 and 2009; demands remedial action
Carney pledges to push BoE FX investigations 'all the way'
Bank of England governor Mark Carney pledges to get to the bottom of allegations that UK central bank condoned market manipulation in FX markets
Target2 'filled in' balance of payments gaps during euro crisis, NY Fed paper finds
Federal Reserve Bank of New York study finds adjustment to the pullback of private capital during the euro crisis made less harsh by Target2
RBA takes next step in opening up payments market
Shake-up of access regimes aims to give more room for competition in the Australian payments market; proposed changes still need amendments to legislation to go ahead
BoE launches banknote security app
Bank of England launches an interactive application for use on mobile devices that helps the public identify security features on its banknotes
Serbian central bank sets up overdraft charge comparator
National Bank of Serbia extends comparison services to let consumers compare overdraft facility interest rates in bid to reduce bank charges across the board
Banxico deputy wants 'prudent' deepening of credit markets
Bank penetration in Mexico remains low compared with other emerging markets, but 'prudence is sine qua non' for expanding financial inclusion, says Manuel Sánchez
Armenia pips Kazakhstan to coin award
Central Bank of Armenia commemorative coin triumphs over National Bank of Kazakhstan offering in an Italian competition for Best Coin of the Year
Mersch cautiously optimistic on RMB internationalisation
Renminbi internationalisation could bring benefits both to China and outsiders, ECB board member says, if Chinese reforms continue and investors take care
Georgians vote on new currency symbol
National Bank of Georgia has shortlisted five designs in the race to represent the national currency, the lari
Europe card fraud up after five-year decline, ECB data show
Growth in online shopping blamed for increase in card payments fraud, which totalled €1.33 billion within the Single Euro Payments Area in 2012 - up 21% on the previous year