SBP directs banks to spread awareness on banknote security

KARACHI: The State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) on Monday issued guidelines for commercial banks to enhance public awareness about security features of banknotes.

In a circular, the SBP directed the banks to place videos of banknote security features on the homepage of their (bank’s) website to be accessible and downloadable by the general public.

The banks have also been advised to show the videos on the TV monitor, ie LCDs/LEDs, etc, in the waiting areas of their branches on frequent basis.

The banks were also advised to run public service messages on the ATM screens. Further, a link should be created at the banks’ official website for download as a smartphone application.

The banks have been directed to ensure compliance with the guidelines by March 25.

The guidelines are part of the SBP campaign ‘Rupay Ko Pehchano’ recently launched through videos and a smartphone application.

The central bank said the videos and phone applications aimed to enhance public awareness and understanding of the security features of the notes to easily differentiate between the genuine and fake currency.

The SBP developed a total of five videos highlighting the security features of the currency notes in circulation.