Commonwealth banknote-issuing institutions Facts for Kids

Commonwealth banknote-issuing institutions are the banks and government groups that printed and gave out paper money (called banknotes) in countries that were once part of the British Empire or are now part of the Commonwealth of Nations. This money was "legal tender," meaning it had to be accepted for payments.

Who Printed Money in Commonwealth Countries?
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Who Printed Money in Commonwealth Countries?

Many different organizations were in charge of printing money in the Commonwealth. These included central banks, which are like the main banks of a country, as well as other government offices and even some private banks. Their job was to make sure people had enough money to buy things and that the money was trusted.

Money Makers in Africa

Many African countries, when they were part of the British Empire or after they became independent, had their own institutions to issue banknotes.

Banks and Boards in Africa

Biafra: The Bank of Biafra issued money during its short history.
Botswana: The Bank of Botswana is the central bank today.
British West Africa: The West African Currency Board used to manage money for several countries in this region.
Cape of Good Hope: This area in South Africa had many banks that printed money, like the Cape Commercial Bank and the Standard Bank of South Africa Limited.
East Africa: The East African Currency Board handled currency for countries like Kenya, Uganda, and Tanzania.
Ghana: The Bank of Ghana is its central bank.
Kenya: The Central Bank of Kenya manages the country's money.
Nigeria: The Central Bank of Nigeria is responsible for its currency.
South Africa: The South African Reserve Bank is the main bank for South Africa. Many other banks also issued notes in different parts of the country over time, such as the National Bank of South Africa Limited and the Standard Bank of South Africa Limited.
Zimbabwe: The Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe is its central bank.

Money Makers in the Americas

Countries in the Americas that were part of the British Empire also had their own ways of issuing money.

Banks and Boards in the Americas

Bahamas: The Central Bank of The Bahamas now issues money. In the past, the government and the Bank of Nassau did.
Barbados: The Central Bank of Barbados is the main issuer. The government and other banks like the Colonial Bank also issued notes.
Canada: The Bank of Canada is the central bank. Historically, many different banks across Canada issued their own banknotes.
Cayman Islands: The Cayman Islands Monetary Authority manages their currency.
Eastern Caribbean Territories: The Eastern Caribbean Central Bank issues money for several islands in the Eastern Caribbean, like Antigua, Dominica, Grenada, and Saint Lucia.
Falkland Islands: The Government of the Falkland Islands issues their banknotes.
Jamaica: The Bank of Jamaica (Central bank) is the central bank. Before that, various commercial banks like the Bank of Nova Scotia and the Colonial Bank issued notes.
Newfoundland: The Government of Newfoundland and banks like the Commercial Bank of Newfoundland issued money before it joined Canada.
Trinidad and Tobago: The Central Bank of Trinidad and Tobago is the current issuer.

Money Makers in Asia and the Far East

Many countries in Asia and the Far East, especially those with strong ties to Britain, also had their own banknote issuers.

Banks and Boards in Asia

Bangladesh: The Bangladesh Bank is the central bank.
British India: Different "Presidencies" (large administrative regions) like Bengal, Bombay, and Madras had their own banks, such as the Bank of Bengal and Bank of Bombay, that issued money. Later, the Reserve Bank of India took over.
British North Borneo: The British North Borneo Company issued notes in this area.
Burma (Myanmar): The Burma Currency Board and the Government of India used to manage the currency here.
Ceylon (Sri Lanka): The Central Bank of Sri Lanka is the main bank today. The Government of Ceylon also issued notes.
Hong Kong: The Hongkong and Shanghai Banking Corporation, Standard Chartered Bank, and the Bank of China are the main commercial banks that issue banknotes, along with the Government of Hongkong.
Malaysia: The Central Bank of Malaysia is the central bank. Before that, the Board of Commissioners of Currency Malaya and British Borneo issued money for the region.
Pakistan: The State Bank of Pakistan is the central bank.
Palestine: The Palestine Currency Board issued currency during the British Mandate period.
Singapore: The Monetary Authority of Singapore manages its currency.

Money Makers in Australia and New Zealand

Australia and New Zealand, major Commonwealth nations, also had various institutions responsible for their money.

Banks and Boards in Oceania

Australia: The Reserve Bank of Australia is the central bank. The Commonwealth Bank also played a big role.
New Zealand: The Reserve Bank of New Zealand is the central bank. Many different banks, like the Bank of New Zealand and the Bank of New South Wales, issued notes in the past.
Fiji: The Reserve Bank of Fiji is the central bank. The Currency Board of Fiji also issued notes.
Papua New Guinea: The Bank of Papua New Guinea is its central bank.
Solomon Islands: The Central Bank of Solomon Islands manages their currency.
Tonga: The National Reserve Bank of Tonga is the central bank.

Money Makers in Europe

Even within Europe, some areas connected to the Commonwealth had their own banknote issuers.

Banks and Boards in Europe

Cyprus: The Central Bank of Cyprus is the central bank. The Government of Cyprus also issued notes.
Gibraltar: The Government of Gibraltar issues its own banknotes.
Guernsey: The States of Guernsey issues notes for this island.
Isle of Man: The Isle of Man Government issues its own currency.
Jersey: The States of Jersey issues notes for this island.
Malta: The Central Bank of Malta is the central bank. The Government of Malta also issued notes.
United Kingdom:

* England and Wales: The Bank of England is the central bank for England and Wales and issues all banknotes there. * Scotland: Three commercial banks are allowed to issue banknotes: the Bank of Scotland, The Royal Bank of Scotland, and Clydesdale Bank. * Northern Ireland: Four commercial banks issue banknotes: Bank of Ireland, First Trust Bank, Northern Bank, and Ulster Bank.

Commonwealth banknote-issuing institutions facts for kids

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