Mobile banking
Digital payments key to financial inclusion, says Gates report
New report into financial inclusion says digital payments are the way forward – but financial service providers will need to charge fees in order to cover the cost of serving the poor
Regional Feds launch push for faster payments
The 12 Federal Reserve regional banks outline a broad 10-year plan for generating a faster, more efficient payment system; look to industry for specifics
Banque de France launches mobile app
Users can access key statistics, speeches, news and other information from the French central bank through their mobile phone
UK consumers drop cash in move towards mobile payments
British Retail Consortium says cash usage fell sharply last year, while research by VocaLink finds a strong uptake of mobile payments by consumers, though retail payments are still dominated by cash
Brazil second in world for non-cash payments
World Payments Report reveals Brazil is second only to the US for volume of non-cash payments; use of electronic and mobile payments shows ‘exponential growth’
Zambian governor calls for shared mobile banking platform
Michael Gondwe discusses the role of mobile banking in financial inclusion; says cooperation between payment systems will help widen access
RBI’s Subbarao discusses regulating banking innovation
Duvvuri Subbarao outlines Reserve Bank of India’s efforts to regulate innovation in payments systems; says 'foresight and wisdom' are needed by both innovator and central bank
‘Branchless’ banking increasing in Pakistan
So-called 'branchless banking' transactions grew 23% between January and March this year; accounts linked to mobile phones reached over 1 million during the period
Papua New Guinea welcomes mobile banking advances
Governor of the Bank of Papua New Guinea has 'no objection' to use of mobile banking product in the country; hopes system will improve financial services for unbanked population
Norges Bank assesses payments system
Annual Report on Payment Systems 2011 finds speed of payment transactions to be lacking; system in general is nonetheless efficient says deputy governor
Peru central bank paper analyses effect of mobile phones
Researchers consider the effect of mobile phone coverage on household welfare in Peru; find an increase in income, assets and expenditure after coverage is extended
Bank of Estonia notes increasing electronic payments
Central bank says more than 99% of non-cash payments in Estonia are now electronic; further increase in use of internet payments expected
Kansas Fed Economic Review discusses barriers to mobile payments in US
Kansas Fed’s latest economic review discusses supply- and demand-side issues limiting the use of mobile payments in the US
RBI deputy governor highlights threat to inflows from mobile banking
Chakrabarty says country-specific approach with international co-operation is needed to regulate mobile phone banking
Fed director cautious of ‘not fully known’ impacts of mobile banking
Sandra Braunstein testifies to US Senate on 'not fully known' ways the use of mobile devices can affect financial services
Bank of Estonia to reveal travel statistics gleaned from mobile positioning data
Estonian central bank has been using data from mobile phone usage for more than three years to assist with balance of payments calculation; only two other European central banks operate similar systems
EPC outlines new models for mobile payments
European Payments Council requests feedback on new model for contactless and remote mobile payments in Europe; focuses on the preferred type of secure-elements technology used in mobile phones