Central Bank of Bosnia and Herzegovina opens 56th TAG conference and outlines ongoing withdrawal and security upgrades for convertible mark banknotes

Central Bank of Bosnia and Herzegovina Governor Jasmina Selimovic opened the 56th Technical Advisory Group conference of the Banknote Processing Systems International Users Group in Sarajevo, marking the first time the central bank has hosted the event, and used the remarks to set out priorities for banknote processing and currency integrity in a cash-heavy payment environment. The conference brought together 57 representatives from central banks, printing houses and financial institutions from 25 countries. Selimovic highlighted the central bank’s reliance on BPS-type banknote processing machines for high-volume daily vault operations, with an emphasis on authentication, accurate counting and destruction, and sorting banknotes into fit and unfit for circulation. She also pointed to the central bank’s policy that the quality, durability and security features of convertible mark (KM) banknotes and coins should align with technological standards in European Union countries, supported by detailed technical specifications. In this context, she noted that the withdrawal of older KM banknotes is ongoing and that, with support from the Presidency of Bosnia and Herzegovina, the central bank has initiated a process to enhance the security features of existing KM banknotes to improve anti-counterfeiting protection and extend their lifespan. The conference runs until 10 April 2025.