What is the primary reason that most countries issue a new banknote to replace an older design? To help prevent COUNTERFETING!

Last November, the National Bank of Kazakhstan (NBK) issued a commemorative 10,000 tenge banknote to celebrate the 30th anniversary of the national currency, followed in December by the issue of the first banknote in a new note series, the 5,000 tenge.

Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) will be circulating an additional 1 billion P1,000 polymer banknotes in 2024, double the amount previously ordered in 2021 for the circulation trial of the polymer versus the paper version.

Each February and March we cover the previous year’s results for the leading companies in cash management, most of whose financial years run from January to December. Between them these results provide a useful means of taking the pulse of our industry.

The Bundesbank (BBk) has established a National Cash Forum to allow cash cycle stakeholders to exchange information on cash issues. The BBk wants the Forum to increase cooperation and pool interests for stakeholders in order to prepare initiatives to improve and stabilise the cash cycle. In itself, the creation of the Forum signals that the BBk and stakeholders support cash.

Biobanknote has spent 12 years focusing on the protection of the environment, building expert knowledge about composting banknotes, and offers professional advisory services to central banks and producers helping them set banknote specification parameters, measurement methodologies, controls and evaluations so that the new banknotes can be more sustainable throughout the cash cycle.

Koenig & Bauer Banknote Solutions (K&B BNS) has pre- launched its new production platform called ‘AKTINA’.

The second Cash Sustainability Forum (CSF) takes place in Frankfurt, Germany from 24-26 June. On the first afternoon will be a workshop dedicated to the recycling and recirculation of cash. It will build on a white paper currently being researched and prepared and for which input is still very welcome.

Three webinars will be held over the coming weeks of interest to the banknote and coin communities, each with a very different focus

The problems with plastic are widely known – but not well understood. The truth is, sometimes plastic is necessary. And when it comes to banknotes, polymer substrate is the green choice.

The first Security Designers Forum (SDF) will take place 9-11 September 2024 in Warsaw, Poland as a dedicated setting for all those involved in design and design decision-making relating to secure documents such as banknotes and passports, to learn, exchange knowledge and develop new ideas.

First level features for public authentication have grown remarkably over the years. The key objective is to stop counterfeits at the first pass. A solid combination of printed and substrate embedded features is available, and continues to grow.

‘Concept Notes: Art, Design and Security in One’, the second issue of a special report from Currency News summarising the latest house notes, is now available to download and read.

Koenig & Bauer Banknote Solutions (K&B BNS) will be hosting an event this June to bring the international central bank community together around the future role cash will play in society.

The National Bank of Ukraine has issued a new commemorative 50 hryvnia banknote entitled ‘Unity saves the world’ on the second anniversary of the Russian invasion.

The Federal Reserve Board of Governors has confirmed the order for banknotes for 2024, which will be in the range of 5.3-6.9 billion notes, valued at $180.5-204.4 billion.

Europe’s newest printworks, Spain’s Imprenta de Billetes SA (IMBISA), has been awarded a contract to produce all €10 banknotes destined for the Eurozone in 2024 – 424.2 million in total. It will also produce a portion of the €5 notes required next year.

Cash automation solutions provider Glory Global Solutions has announced plans to acquire 100% of the issued share capital of UK-based Flooid, provider of cloud-based unified commerce software to the retail industry, from Inflexion Private Equity Partners.

2024 has kicked off with a focus on cash, particularly a series of initiatives by central banks to safeguard access to cash.

Jasmina Selimović has been appointed Governor of the Central Bank of Bosnia and Herzegovina (CBBH). She replaces Senad Softić and is the first women to hold the position.