Banknotes
Fewer counterfeit banknotes withdrawn in Portugal in 2015
Statistics released by Bank of Portugal reveal a drop in the number of counterfeits withdrawn from circulation last year; the €20 remains the most frequently faked denomination
Argentina to issue three new banknote denominations
Top-value 100-peso note to be eclipsed by new currency; 200- and 500-peso notes will launch in first half of 2016, with 1000 peso note following in 2017
Banknote and currency services provider of the year: Leonhard Kurz Stiftung & Co
The foil provider has developed cutting edge security features for some of the world's largest central banks in a bid to tackle ever more sophisticated counterfeiting
Domestic euro users bear highest shoe leather costs, Bank of Italy paper finds
Euros circulate widely outside the eurozone, transferring some costs to foreigners – but the effect is small relative to the popularity of the euro as a global currency
ECB welcomes draft Portuguese law on banknote production
Proposals would remove requirement that Bank of Portugal must own 51% of legal entity responsible for banknote production; could pave way for closer co-operation with other NCBs
Improving banknote efficiency in India
The RBI manages nearly 80 billion banknotes in circulation – a number set to grow by more than 5% per annum. Vijay Shekhawat explains how the central bank is optimising its banknotes business
More polymer banknotes in new Nicaraguan series
Nicaragua to use polymer substrate on two additional denominations in new series launched later this month; revamp costing over $17 million
Namibia removes security feature from two banknotes
Central Bank of Namibia removes OVI diamond from N$10 and N$20 notes; hopes to reduce costs while preserving security
Fiji laments 'torn and burnt' polymer banknotes
Central bank governor urges Fijians to stop ironing polymer notes which can 'cause them to melt and shrink'
Colombia doubles value of largest banknote
Colombian central bank will issue new 100,000 note for the first time alongside five redesigned denominations in 2016
BoE says cash unlikely to ‘die out’
An article in the Bank of England's quarterly bulletin illustrates the continuing use of cash in the UK, despite the introduction of new payment technologies over the last decade
RBA economist proposes ‘survival model’ of banknote life
The research discussion paper outlines an alternative method of predicting how long banknotes will last, finding the ‘survival model’ produces less volatile estimates
BoE reveals new £20 note will be polymer
Next series of £20 banknotes will feature polymer substrate, in line with £5 and £10 notes; as yet unnamed visual artist will be included in design
SNB reveals launch date for delayed banknote series
Roll-out of ninth banknote series to begin next year; new notes believed to include unique security features but central bank is being tight-lipped in the run up to the launch
PBoC revamps 100 yuan note
New versions of China’s highest denomination note include improved security features to fight counterfeiting and improve machine-readability
Riksbank launches app as drive to publicise new notes and coins accelerates
Central bank’s first smartphone app helps public identify counterfeit banknotes and features voice-over by Stefan Ingves; part of communications push ahead of new banknote and coin series
BoE launches year-long artist collaboration
Martin John Callanan to work with BoE for a year to produce works reflecting central banking, in what Mark Carney hopes will be a creative way of communicating
RBNZ to cut costs despite need to implement major new projects
Central bank plans to cut costs and use resources more effectively following tighter funding deal; strategy includes payment systems upgrade, new banknote series and first stress tests
US Treasury: woman will appear on new $10 banknote
More than a century after Martha Washington was featured on a $1 note, Treasury secretary Jack Lew announces he will pick another woman to feature on the $10 note
Zimbabwe pulls local currency from circulation
Locals will be able to exchange their Zimbabwean dollars for US dollars until September 30; any amount up to Z$175 quadrillion in their bank accounts will be swapped for a flat $5
RBNZ strikes new funding deal with government
Funding agreement features small increase in core operating expenditure over the next five years and additional $51.4 million to help meet cost of issuing new banknotes
New euro banknotes go down well in the Netherlands
Study conducted for the Netherlands Bank finds new €5 and €10 banknotes are more popular than their predecessors, though familiarity with design features remains low
Nigerian central bankers accused of banknote ‘mega scam’
Six accused of taking more than $25 million worth of old banknotes that were meant to be destroyed; Economic and Financial Crime Commission says they will ‘face the wrath of the law’
BoE asks public to nominate artist for next £20 note
Mark Carney says next individual on £20 note will be a visual artist, and asks members of the public to nominate people from the field; committee will then draw up a shortlist