Latest News

Astrid Mitchell

23 Sept. 2021

3 min read

Bank Al-Maghrib Invests in Green Technology

In 1987, Morocco established its own national banknote printing and minting company, Dar As-Sikkah, a department of the central bank (Bank Al-Maghrib) responsible for printing banknotes, minting coins, and producing secure documents.

Central Banks Technology

Astrid Mitchell

23 Sept. 2021

4 min read

Guatemalan Independence Creates a Banknote in a New Light

2021 is a profoundly important year for much of Central America. Guatemala celebrates its bicentennial, recognising 200 years of independence from Spain, declared on 15 September 1821 in what is known as the Act of Independence of Central America.

Banknotes

Antti Heinonen

19 Sept. 2021

8 min read

The Paradoxical Development of the Usage of Cash During the Pandemic: Part II

The acceleration of the paradoxical cash developments during the ongoing pandemic, namely the decline in cash usage at point of sale accompanied by surge in cash holdings, was addressed in the June issue of Currency News.

COVID-19 Studies, Reports

Andrea Nitsche

19 Sept. 2021

10 min read

Why Cash Matters – Not Despite but Because of COVID

COVID-19 has wreaked havoc on the global poor. It has also strongly impacted the lives of many women, and, as a consequence, children, the world over. For everyone thus affected by COVID-19, cash is often a lifeline, a means of support, of escape and maintaining personal freedom, of independence and of securing livelihoods.

Comment COVID-19 Free Free

Astrid Mitchell

30 Aug. 2021

10 min read

Catch Me if You Can – ECB Reports on Cash and COVID

A new report published last month – ‘Catch Me (If You Can): Assessing the Risk of SARS-CoV-2 Transmission via Euro Cash’ – by the European Central Bank (ECB) sought to answer key questions such as, how long do coronaviruses remain infectious on banknotes and coins? Is it possible to become infected through contact with cash?

COVID-19 Studies, Reports

Astrid Mitchell

27 Aug. 2021

12 min read

The ICA – An Opportunity to be a Force for Good

The International Currency Association (ICA) was founded in 2016 to create a single, cohesive voice for the currency industry. Its principal objective has been, and continues to be, to make the case for cash as a public good at an industry, public and political level, and to demonstrate that cash is a vital part of the present and future payment landscape.

Interviews

Astrid Mitchell

27 Aug. 2021

4 min read

Environment, Cost and Social Responsibility at Heart of New Eastern Caribbean Series

This March, the Eastern Caribbean Central Bank (ECCB) issued its new $5 polymer banknote into circulation, completing the transition of the Eastern Caribbean dollar to De La Rue’s SAFEGUARD® polymer that began in 2019. According to the ECCB, the reasons for the transition were threefold – the environment, cost, and security.

Banknotes

Astrid Mitchell

26 Aug. 2021

1 min read

Krypten Plans Release of 3D-GRAM® CONTRUST

Next month, Russian secure hologram company producer KRYPTEN will introduce the 100/50 Nobelists house note, featuring a new 3D-GRAM® CONTRUST photopolymer security patch for use on paper and polymer banknotes.

Banknotes Substrates, Features

Astrid Mitchell

26 Aug. 2021

1 min read

A Colourful Celebration Guatemalan Independence

The Bank of Guatemala has published the designs of its new commemorative 20 quetzales banknote and 1 quetzal coin marking the country’s bicentennial anniversary. This will be the first commemorative banknote in the Bank’s history.

Banknotes

Astrid Mitchell

26 Aug. 2021

1 min read

IBDA – New Perspectives

The International Banknote Designers Association (IBDA) has launched a series of New Perspective webinars to keep the industry focused on the wider perspectives regarding innovation and emerging trends, threats and challenges to banknotes, and the ‘bigger picture’ on payments and emerging technologies.

Banknotes Events

Astrid Mitchell

26 Aug. 2021

2 min read

Cash & Payment News August Issue

Cash & Payment News™ didn’t go on holiday in August. Instead, it has focused on the environment, the importance of inclusion, a paper by ESTA on access to cash, a country profile of cash in Rwanda, a study of cash in Italy and the review of a BIS paper on CBDC privacy.

CBDC

Astrid Mitchell

26 Aug. 2021

2 min read

CCL Secure Makes Multi-Million Investment

CCL Secure is cementing its leading position in polymer production for banknotes with major additions to the capabilities of its production lines. The company is investing £9.5 million to include support for its latest two innovations.

Companies

John Winchcombe

26 Aug. 2021

4 min read

How to ‘Green’ the Cash Cycle

Jens Eberhardt, Managing Director of Cashinfrapro, has written a paper – ‘Green Cash Logistics’ – which considers how modern ways of working can reduce the environmental impact of the cash cycle. This article, which appeared in sister publication Cash & Payment News™, is a summary of the paper.

Sustainability

Mark Spencer

26 Aug. 2021

3 min read

Diversity Exemplified in G7 Banknote Denominations

The recent meeting of the G7 (Group of Seven, an inter-governmental political forum consisting of Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the UK and the US) held in the UK prompted De La Rue to look at the banknotes of the participating countries, which threw up some interesting divergences in their approaches to banknote security.

Banknotes Substrates, Features

Astrid Mitchell

26 Aug. 2021

4 min read

All Eyes on COP 26 and Climate Change

On 1 November the latest UN Climate Change meeting, COP 26, starts in Glasgow in the UK. We can expect significant press interest and focus on the event in particular, and the environment in general.

Comment Free Sustainability Free

Astrid Mitchell

26 Aug. 2021

2 min read

Pakistan To Try Out Polymer

The State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) is the latest central bank planning to issue polymer notes, with a commemorative note to mark the 75th anniversary of independence in 2022, and another to mark the 75th anniversary of the founding of the Bank in 2023.

Substrates, Features

Astrid Mitchell

26 Aug. 2021

2 min read

ZEISER Acquires Track and Trace Technology from Inspectron

The German company ZEISER, which provides impact and non-impact serialisation solutions and services to the security printing industry, has acquired the document inspection and track and trace software solutions of Inspectron, UK.

Companies

Louisenthal

26 Aug. 2021

3 min read

Registered Threads – Perfect Security, Perfect Storytelling

In the Banknote of the Month feature in last month’s Currency News™, we covered the Central Bank of Honduras’ new 200 lempira note which, among other features, is the first in the world to incorporate a registered Galaxy® thread. In this article, Louisenthal explains the significance of this new advance in thread technology.

Substrates, Features

Astrid Mitchell

26 Aug. 2021

3 min read

In Other News

Hungary’s central bank – Magyar Nemzeti Bank – has released a series of six new commemorative coins to celebrate the 75th anniversary of the introduction of the forint.

Central Banks News

Astrid Mitchell

26 Aug. 2021

2 min read

No Free Lunches – Next MDC Webinar Covers Hidden Cost of Payments

The next webinar from the MDC (Mint Directors Conference) takes place on 16 September on the topic of ‘What is the Cost to Consumers and Society of Cash v the Cost of ‘Electronic’ / Digital Payments?’

Events