Signage systems are an integral part of modern urban environments, and they influence both city aesthetics and information flow. But their growing use also adds to the embodied carbon footprint of urban infrastructure, a factor that is often overlooked in sustainable city planning. The present study investigates the environmental impact of signage within the context of urban development and climate-responsive design using two Australian case studies, including one installed at a national bank. The assessment is limited to the cradle-to-site (A1–A4) stages, focusing on material production and transportation impacts only. In each case study, one installed signage unit is used as the functional unit, with the results scaled to a nationwide-deployment scenario in Case Study 2. The results show that aluminium and steel dominate signage materials in both mass and embodied carbon. The study also proposes several mitigation strategies, including the use of low-carbon aluminium, higher-grade steel, and design optimization methods. A quantitative analysis also demonstrates the potential reductions in embodied carbon, ranging from 18% to 80.3%, with low-carbon material substitution achieving up to an 83.4% reduction in one case study. The findings also highlight that targeted material and design choices in the signage sector can significantly advance urban sustainability goals.

This research aims to evaluate the effectiveness of monetary circulation in Cyprus by applying the Index of the Cycle of Money, derived from the Theory of the Cycle of Money. The analysis focuses exclusively on the Cypriot economy over the period of 2012–2017, a timeframe marked by severe financial stress following a domestic banking crisis. Using national GDP and bank deposits as core inputs, the study computes the country-specific cycle-of-money index and compares it to the global benchmark. The results show that Cyprus consistently exhibits a cycle-of-money index significantly above the global average, indicating a highly efficient internal redistribution and reuse of money. This finding suggests that the Cypriot economic structure possesses strong resilience and recovery capacity, even under adverse monetary and fiscal conditions. The analysis contributes to the comparative literature on monetary circulation by providing a clearly delimited single-country application and by reinforcing the explanatory power of the cycle-of-money framework in crisis contexts.

JaalTaka: A benchmark dataset for detecting counterfeit Bangladeshi banknotes.

This research is motivated by the Bank Syariah Indonesia (BSI) integration policy, a strategic step taken by the government to strengthen the national Islamic banking structure to address the challenges of financial stability, global competitiveness, and sustainable Islamic economic development. This study aims to analyze the implications of BSI institutional integration on strengthening the Islamic banking system, financing the real sector, and transforming governance and digitalization to support the national Islamic economy. The research method used is qualitative with a descriptive approach through a literature review of scientific journals, academic books, and relevant official reports. The research findings indicate that BSI integration has a positive impact on increasing business scale, strengthening capital, operational efficiency, and optimizing risk management, which contributes to the stability of the Islamic financial system and global competitiveness. Furthermore, integration strengthens the intermediation function of Islamic finance by increasing the financing capacity of the real sector, particularly MSMEs, expanding profit-sharing contracts, and accelerating financial inclusion through digitalization. The research findings also confirm that the success of integration is largely determined by the synergy between Sharia governance and compliance, the use of digital technology, and effective change management based on leadership and alignment of organizational culture. The implications of this research indicate that BSI integration not only strengthens Islamic banking institutions but also serves as an important foundation for the development of a just, inclusive, and sustainable national Islamic economy.

The development of Islamic banking in Indonesia through spin-off mechanisms from conventional banks raises juridical-philosophical issues related to the legality and legitimacy of initial capital sources derived from interest-bearing (riba) businesses. This study aims to comprehensively analyze the establishment of Islamic banks sourced from the interest-bearing profits of conventional banks from the perspective of Indonesian positive law and Islamic law. As comprehensive qualitative research, this study employs a normative juridical method with statutory and conceptual approaches. The results show that from a formal-juridical perspective, the establishment of Islamic banks through spin-offs is permitted by national banking regulations, specifically Law No. 21 of 2008, which places greater emphasis on fulfilling capital and institutional aspects. However, substantively, Islamic law requires a process of separation and purification of assets (tathhir al-mal) to cleanse capital from elements of riba. Without this mechanism, the Islamic legitimacy of the bank becomes fragile, even if its formal legality is met. This study confirms that substantive sharia compliance, which includes the purity of capital sources, is a fundamental prerequisite for maintaining the integrity and public trust in the sharia banking industry in Indonesia.

Bitcoin, which was established in 2009, has turned into a worldwide cash. Bitcoin is a decentralized computerized money that isn't supported by any administration or national bank. It very well might be utilized to buy labour and products from retailers who acknowledge bitcoins. These bitcoins act as scrambled information lumps. This information is sent starting with one individual then onto the next, and the exchange is affirmed, i.e., cash is spent, requiring a lot of figuring ability to verify the singular exchanges precisely. The shared organization screens and ensures bitcoin moves between clients. It could be utilized to book inns, shop, do monetary exchanges, and even purchase computer games. The advancement of bitcoin digital money, the development of blockchain, and its utilization in certifiable substances are made sense of. This exploration paper will cover the ascent of Bitcoin in India

The banking history of the city of Brasov - belonging to the Kingdom of Transylvania/the Habsburg Empire - until the union with the Kingdom of Romania in 1918 is linked not only to the establishment of the Romanian banks/Banca Albina, but also to one of the first banks in Brasov, the Saxon National Bank. With a primary role in the development of the area, of the city, placing on the map of Țara Bârsei this important commercial hub that was the city of Brașov, B.N.S. managed to operate from 1835 until the nationalization in 1948. It represented a model of functioning, organization, style, and respect for the community.

Women who own and operate businesses serve as major accelerators of rural economic development in India by providing people with job opportunities, building local economies, and advancing community development goals. While facing challenges stemming from social and economic constraints (e.g., limited access to loan funds and restrictive mobility) as well as the persistence of traditional gender-based assumptions about women's roles in society, women living in rural areas have been innovative and persistent in developing micro-enterprises, creating self-help groups (SHGs), and pursuing various forms of farm and non-farm business opportunities including digital technologies. This report looks at trends in the area of women entrepreneurship in rural India based on secondary sources of information including reports issued by various government departments, the national bank of agriculture and rural development (NABARD), the national rural livelihoods mission (NRLM), as well as existing academic literature. Findings indicate that women entrepreneurs create income, jobs, reduce poverty, and empower themselves and their families through their contributions to the regional economy and the establishment of community-based businesses. The study also identifies the following factors that drive the growth of women-owned businesses: SHG–Bank Linkage programs, microfinance institutions, skill development training, digital platform access, and market linkages. The results of this study demonstrate that through building on each of these drivers, women-owned enterprises could grow significantly and, therefore, promote increased rural economic development in India. As a result, the paper concludes that the economic empowerment of rural women entrepreneurs provides an important path towards achieving sustainable and equitable rural development in India.

Abstract This study analyzes the formulation and implementation of Islamic bank development strategies within the context of increasingly intense national banking competition. The primary focus is on identifying internal and external factors influencing Islamic bank competitiveness, including regulatory developments, market penetration, product and service innovation, and changing customer preferences. This study uses a qualitative approach using literature review and policy analysis, incorporating a strategic management framework to assess the effectiveness of strategies implemented by Islamic banks. The results indicate that the success of Islamic bank development is largely determined by the institution's ability to formulate a differentiation strategy based on Islamic values, strengthen digital capabilities, and build strategic partnerships with various stakeholders. The implementation of strategies that are adaptive and responsive to market dynamics has been shown to significantly impact performance improvements, operational effectiveness, and public trust. These findings provide conceptual and practical contributions to strengthening the competitiveness of Islamic banks in a competitive national banking ecosystem. Keywords: Development Strategy, Islamic Banks, Strategic Management, Banking Competition, Service Innovation, Banking Regulations.

Abstract Since the increases of policy interest rates in the years 2022-2023, a number of central banks are suffering significant losses from the materialisation of interest rate risk. These losses erode the capital buffers and raise questions about the cost-efficiency of monetary policy. This warrants a closer look at the topic of central bank profitability. What drives central bank profits? What is the problem with central bank losses exactly? And what possibilities do central banks have to influence their profits and manage public perception? In this paper we revisit these questions for central banks in general, with a particular focus on the Eurosystem and De Nederlandsche Bank. Although central bank losses can be an accepted consequence of necessary monetary policy (risks), they are regrettable as they constitute public money that could have been otherwise used for public purposes such as education and healthcare. But even low (positive) profits are undesirable. In general, central bank profits contribute to maintaining a strong balance sheet and support financial independence from the government. A central bank should preferably generate sufficient income over time to grow its capital in line with GDP (Gross Domestic Product). Here, we use the concept of “capital” in a broad sense, i.e. shareholder capital and provisions, acting as risk buffer. This risk buffer should develop in line with GDP as that is roughly proportional to the underlying latent risks of the central bank from the economy and the banking sector. Central bank profits are mainly driven by the monetary policy interest rates – which have little room for including “efficiency” considerations. However, central banks should understand the outlook of their profits under different (interest rate) scenarios. This is also important for Eurosystem national central banks and the ECB which are exposed to the financial consequences of the ECB’s monetary policy decisions via income and cost sharing arrangements. Some of the balance sheet items allow for profitability considerations to be included in their management. The central bank’s own investment portfolio is the most prominent example. With the significant losses of a number of central banks, it may be wise to consider profitability more explicitly in the central bank policies. This paper attempts to offer input on that question.

The mission assisted the staff of the National Bank of Rwanda (NBR) in broadening the coverage of MFS, to include other financial corporations (OFCs) and compile the OFCs Survey, aligned with the IMF’s 2016 Monetary and Financial Statistics Manual and Compilation Guide (2016 MFSMCG). In addition the mission discussed (i) the development of a Balance Sheet Approach (BSA) matrix with full coverage of the financial sector and with additional data from the external, fiscal and real sectors; (ii) data consistency between central bank, other depository corporations (ODCs) and OFCs; (iii) integrated MFS (stocks, transactions, and other flows); and provided hands-on training on MFS compilation issues to the officials of the NBR’s Statistics Department.

The aim of the article is to present a comprehensive justification of the economic and legal aspects of introducing investment controlling into the strategic management system of Ukrainian banks, aimed at improving the effectiveness of investment decisions, strengthening financial stability, ensuring transparency of management processes, and forming institutional prerequisites for harmonizing national banking practices with modern European standards of corporate governance and financial control. The article examines the theoretical aspects of investment controlling, its role in improving the effectiveness of management decisions, as well as in ensuring the financial stability and strategic sustainability of banks. An analysis of the regulatory and legal environment for corporate governance and internal control has been carried out, and the advantages and limitations of regulation have been identified. Given the empirical results obtained for five Ukrainian banks for 2018–2024, a model of the impact of investment controlling regarding profitability and loss ratios of banks has been developed, taking into account corporate governance indicators and regulatory restrictions. A statistically significant positive impact of investment controlling on the return on assets of banks in Ukraine has been established. The necessity of integrating controlling functions into the corporate structure of a bank and activating the use of innovative digital analytical tools has been proven. Recommendations have been formulated for improving mechanisms to increase the effectiveness of investment controlling in the strategic management system of Ukrainian banks, including the need to institutionalize investment controlling in the regulatory framework of the banking sector; the formation of standards and the formation of methodological approaches aimed at introduction of investment controlling; integration of investment controlling with the corporate governance system; improvement of information and analytical support; strengthening of interaction between regulatory authorities and banking institutions.

In India, the Public Sector Banks (PSBs) play a crucial role in the financial system that promotes financial growth and delivers core banking facilities to customers. With a view to gaining stronger financial recapturing abilities, operational improvement, and managing the surging non-performing assets (NPAs), the government has used mergers as a mechanism in PSBs in India. This paper presents the financial performance of Public Sector Banks, pre- and post-merger periods, using DuPont Analysis with emphasis on the important key performance indicators such as Return on Equity (ROE), Return on Assets (ROA), and efficiency of operational performance. The analysis covers data points between 2008 and 2024 that are subjected to statistical tests, such as the Wilcoxon Signed-Rank Test, to evaluate the difference between pre-post performance. Based on the analysis, effective integration has been observed with improvement in profitability, operational efficiency, and financial stability in the post-merger period in the State Bank of India (SBI), Bank of Baroda (BOB), and others. Banks such as Punjab National Bank (PNB) and Union Bank of India, on the other hand, are grappling with shrinking profitability, increasing NPAs, and uneven ROE, which indicate the difficulties in handling inherited weaknesses and management processes inefficiencies. The study asserts that despite these facts, mergers could prove beneficial to PSBs, but the success depends on proper post-merger integration, operational rationalization, and adequate governance to achieve long-term financial sustainability.

For decades, the Ethiopian banking sector has remained closed to foreign investors. The government’s main rationale for restricting foreign participation was the concern that international banks being more financially robust, technologically advanced, and reputable would overshadow and weaken the growth of Ethiopia’s nascent and underdeveloped domestic banking industry. Recently, however, the government has enacted a new law permitting the entry of foreign banks into the country. This review examines the potential advantages and disadvantages of this policy shift. The anticipated benefits include the introduction of new financial innovations and technologies, increased foreign direct investment, accelerated economic growth, enhanced availability of foreign exchange, and greater facilitation of international trade. Moreover, foreign bank entry is expected to help alleviate Ethiopia’s persistent foreign exchange shortages. Nonetheless, significant risks exist if the reform is not carefully regulated. Without strong oversight by the National Bank of Ethiopia, the dominance of foreign banks may undermine local institutions and expose them to heightened vulnerabilities. The article concludes that while opening the banking sector presents important opportunities for Ethiopia’s economy, careful implementation and stringent regulatory frameworks are critical to safeguarding domestic banks and ensuring balanced, sustainable financial sector development.

Objectives This article discusses the administrative and legal activities of the minister responsible for tourism in the field of experimental methods of studying tourist traffic. These methods include the use of many data sources, the so-called “big data”. The discussion will cover cooperation with South Korea and domestic entities - including Statistics Poland and the National Bank of Poland. Material and methods The research methods used in the article are the comparative method, which requires a comparison of Polish and South Korean regulations. Additionally, the dogmatic-exegetical method was used, which requires familiarization with the existing literature. The article aims to show good patterns in experimental methods of studying tourist traffic and encourage readers to learn about modern technologies in this area planned for use in Poland. Results This article was written as part of the activities of the steering committee of the project "Advanced AI tools and algorithms based on public data supporting economic development in the field of tourism," co-financed by the National Centre for Research and Development under the Strategic Research and Development Program "Advanced information, telecommunications and mechatronic technologies" – INFOSTRATEG VIII. Conclusions All the effects described above will be of assistance not only for entrepreneurs but also for central government and local government tourism administrations. The knowledge on real tourist traffic will e.g. make it possible to counteract the phenomenon of the grey zone in tourism that results from conducting non-registered business activity. The broad use of the experimental methods for tourist traffic tracking, discussed in this paper, shows how important this reception area is.

The transformation of the national banking classification system through the KBMI scheme requires KBMI 3 banks (second-liner banks) to enhance their competitiveness in order to advance to KBMI 4. The urgency of this study lies in the importance of expanding the structure of large banks to create a more inclusive, stable, and competitive banking industry. Using the Competitive Profile Matrix (CPM) approach, this research analyzes the competitive position of ten KBMI 3 banks based on seven strategic financial indicators: CAR, CIR, NPL, NIM, CASA, LDR, and ROE. The findings reveal that Bank CIMB Niaga (BNGA) and Bank Syariah Indonesia (BRIS) are the strongest candidates for upgrading, with the highest aggregate competitive scores. BNGA demonstrates advantages in efficiency and stable profitability, while BRIS shows aggressive growth driven by strengthened sharia-based structures following its merger. The novelty of this study lies in the explicit application of CPM to map the readiness of individual banks in the context of KBMI level upgrading a methodological approach that has rarely been applied in the Indonesian banking literature. These findings provide valuable contributions for regulators in designing acceleration policies for consolidation, as well as for investors in assessing the long-term prospects of mid-sized banks through a quantitative approach based on fundamental ratios.

Extremely preterm neonates often require red blood cell (RBC) transfusions derived from adult donors. These transfusions introduce adult hemoglobin into a neonatal hematopoietic system dominated by fetal hemoglobin (HbF), shifting the oxygen-dissociation curve and increasing oxygen delivery to immature tissues. This contributes to oxidative stress and has been associated with prematurity-related diseases. Cord blood (CB)-derived red cell concentrates (CB-RCCs) offer a new physiological alternative by preserving HbF. To enable clinical implementation, CB-RCCs must meet (inter)national quality standards. This study investigated the impact of pre-filtration dilution, storage in non-di(2-ethylhexyl)phthalate (DEHP) plasticized bags, and three additive solutions-saline-adenine-glucose-mannitol (SAGM), phosphate-adenine-glucose-guanosine-saline-mannitol (PAGGSM), and SOL-X-on CB-RCC quality over 21 days. CB was collected after term delivery and processed within 24 h into leukocyte- and platelet-depleted CB-RCCs. Products, either pre-filtration diluted or undiluted, were stored up to 21 days in 1,2-cyclohexane dicarboxylic acid diisononyl ester- or DEHP-plasticized polyvinyl chloride bags containing SAGM, PAGGSM, or SOL-X additive solutions. Quality parameters were assessed on Days 1, 7, 14, and 21. Quality standards were compared against (inter)national requirements for adult RCC. Pre-filtration dilution to maximize yield was found to impair product quality. CB-RCCs stored in non-DEHP bags with PAGGSM showed the lowest hemolysis at Day 21 (0.30 ± 0.09%), outperforming SAGM (0.57 ± 0.16%). Red blood cells in non-DEHP bags also preserved adenosine triphosphate levels and deformability better than in DEHP bags. We demonstrated that CB-RCCs stored in non-DEHP bags with PAGGSM as an additive solution meet (inter)national Blood Bank quality standards up to 21 days of in vitro storage.

ABSTRACT This study investigates the impact of China’s unified national market (CUNM) on bank credit procyclicality and its underlying mechanisms. Findings indicate that the unified national market mitigates bank credit procyclicality by enhancing the diversification of banking operations. Furthermore, the mitigating effect is more pronounced for banks with lower capital adequacy ratios and urban and rural commercial banks. This study adds to the existing literature on the relationship between the unified national market and banking behaviour.

This study aims to provide a descriptive overview of the Debt to Equity Ratio (DER) as an indicator of capital structure and leverage levels in conventional banks in Indonesia during the 2018–2024 period. Changes in global economic conditions, regulatory dynamics, and liquidity pressures and fund costs encourage the importance of evaluating the capital structure of national banks. DER is used as a measure of a bank's ability to balance its own debt and capital use, which has direct implications for risk, profitability, and financial stability. Using a descriptive research approach with secondary data from bank financial statements listed on the Indonesia Stock Exchange, this study processed the maximum, minimum, and average values of DER, as well as describing the pattern of leverage movements through annual charts. The results of the study show that in general, conventional Indonesian banks are in the healthy category with DER in the low to moderate range (0.03–13.42). Most banks consistently maintain DERs within safe limits, supported by strong capital and prudent risk management practices. The variation in the value of the DER such as a significant increase in BBTN or very low values in PNBN and BGTG reflects differences in funding strategies, capital pressures, and internal restructuring. These findings are in line with the international literature that confirms that an optimal capital structure strengthens banks' resilience to economic shocks. Overall, this study confirms that DER remains an important metric in assessing the leverage conditions, capital stability, and financial health of conventional banking in Indonesia.

Climate financing is one of the challenges posed for measures to mitigate and adapt to climate change. The action of the development banks, is a relevant tool for promoting the financing of policies for environmental purposes.The present study proposes a discussion on the role of the State and the National Bank for Economic and Social Development (BNDES) in financing the green transition in Brazil. This article aims to analyse the disbursements of this bank between 2016 and 2020 to identify how their resources were distributed to finance activities and projects related to sustainability. It was verified a reduction in the disbursements of resources for the green economy in the face of its effort to incorporate sustainability into its strategic behaviour. Acknowledgments: "This study was financed in part by the Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior - Brasil (CAPES) - Finance Code 001"