Latest News

Data for Design – Banco de España’s new ABT Database

Miguel López, Innovation and Development Unit Manager at the Banco de España (BdE), presented at the High Security Printing (HSP) conference in Rabat earlier this year on the BdE’s new Application of Banknotes and Technology (ABT) database. This is a comprehensive reference tool for central banks, printworks, government institutions and law enforcement wanting to understand the banknotes of the world from a visual and technical perspective.

Central Banks and Cash Round-Up

This month, there is no particular geographic focus for our periodic series of articles covering cash information in central bank annual reports, as we range from Europe (the ECB and Bank of England) across the Asian steppes (Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Mongolia) to Korea, and then down to South Africa.

Central Banks and Cash Round-Up

This month, our periodic series of articles covering cash information in central bank annual reports focuses on Asia, specifically Azerbaijan, Hong Kong, India, Malaysia, Sri Lanka, and Thailand.

Central Banks and Cash Round-Up

This month, our periodic series of articles covering cash information in central bank annual reports focuses on Jamaica, Malaysia, Maldives, and Namibia.

Central Bank Report Round-Up

This month, our periodic series of articles covering cash information in central bank annual reports focuses on three countries in Europe, with updates from Denmark, Portugal, and Spain.

The Future of Central Banks in the Cash Cycle

In the March issue of Currency News™, we reported on the webinar hosted by the International Association of Currency Affairs (IACA) the previous month on ‘The Future of Commercial Bank Cash Operations’, which is part of a series on the resilience of the cash cycle.

Central Banks Strengthen Ties on Banknote Production

Banque de France (BdF), the Oesterreichische Nationalbank (OeNB), and Banco de Portugal (BdP) are strengthening their cooperation in the field of banknote production, building on ties dating back to 2017.

Smarter Cash Coming to South Africa

The South African Reserve Bank (SARB) has announced plans to modernise how money is circulated, accessed, and managed in the country with the largest overhaul of its cash system in decades. Through its Cash Smart Strategy (CSS), part of its Payments Ecosystem Modernisation (PEM) Programme, it intends to create a cash-management company, roll out white-label ATMs, and tighten oversight of cash distribution, aiming to make the system cheaper, safer, and more accessible.

Currency Research Launches Cash Resilience Strategy Initiative (CRSI)

Currency Research, in collaboration with currency practitioners from African central banks, has launched a new international research initiative to examine global cash usage trends and the future role of physical currency in a rapidly evolving payments landscape.

Central Banks and Cash Round-Up

The focus for this month’s summary of news from central bank annual reports for 2024 and other sources is Asia, with information from Cambodia, Kazakhstan, the Philippines and Thailand.

Central Banks and Cash Round-Up

The focus for this month’s summary of news from central bank annual reports and other sources is Central and South America, specifically Belize, Brazil and Honduras.

Central Banks and Cash Round-Up

The focus for this month’s summary of news from central bank annual reports and other sources are Mozambique, South Africa, and the UK.

Changes Planned for Ukraine’s Currency

Belgium Inaugurates New State-of-the-Art Cash Centre

The National Bank of Belgium (NBB) has officially inaugurated its new cash centre – an environment-friendly facility from where all cash logistics for Belgium will be coordinated.

Central Banks and Cash Round-Up

For June, our summary of newly-published central bank annual and other reports takes a look at Canada, Chile, Costa Rica, and India.

Central Banks and Cash Round-Up

This month, the focus of our periodic series of articles covering cash information in central bank annual and other reports is split between Europe and Asia, with updates from Germany, Portugal, Spain, Hong Kong, Korea and Sri Lanka.

Central Banks and Cash Round-Up

Our periodic series of articles covering cash information in central bank annual reports is playing catch-up, particularly as it is around this time of year that a number of central banks issue their annual reports for 2024 (and in some cases, previous years).

People in the News

The Bank of England has appointed Sarah John, current Chief Cashier, as its new Chief Operating Officer (COO), replacing Ben Simson.

Two Currency Winners in Central Banking Awards 2025

Central Banking Publications has announced all 27 winners of its 2025 awards, which are now in their 12th year. The Central Banking Awards recognise outstanding achievements in the central banking community and two of the 27 relate specifically to currency.

Central Banks and Cash Round-Up

Continuing with the periodic series of articles covering cash information in central bank annual reports, this month we travel to Korea, and also to South America, with a review of two countries, one small and stable (Uruguay) and the other larger and not so stable (Venezuela).