1 Regional Experience on Clearing and Settlement Systems Johannesburg 19 June 2003 Alice Zanza Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe

2 Relevance of clearing and settlements Trading has to be settled –Barter –Cash –Electronic payments Investor confidence in the payment system Financial stability –Systemic risk

3 Systemic Risk “The risk that the failure of one participant, in financial markets generally, will cause other participants to be unable to meet their obligations” Effects: Significant liquidity problems Threat not only to whole financial sector but economy as a whole Nightmares for the Central bank

4 Components of Payment System Banks Financial Institutions Government Rules and Regulations Processes and Procedures Legal Framework Infrastructure Transactions ( Payment and Settlement) End users/ Customers Service Providers Other Stakeholders

5 Building Safe and Efficient Payment System Combined action by central bank and banking industry –Shared vision Cooperation from other stakeholders Clear cut division between Competition and Cooperation Technical efficiency Compatibility with monetary policy Access criteria Compatibility with payment systems from other countries

6 Building Safe and Efficient Payment System Driver Support from the top ‘Troublemaker’ Long term approach Avoid quick fix Commitment, commitment and commitment Continuity

7 Goal Definition Gross Settlement One to one High value payments High liquidity requirements Low risk Credit push Net settlement Lower liquidity requirements Higher risk Legal basis High and low value payments Clearing Cycles Settlement Time –End of day –Deferred

8 Goal Definition Finality and Irrevocability Delivery versus Payment (DVP) -Securities market -How are you going to achieve this -Various models G30 Recommendations for SSS BIS Report: Recommendations for SSS( RSSS) CPSS + IOSCO- Nov 2001 “Assessment methodology for “RSSS”- Nov 2002 Central Securities Depository Government securities vs Equities Immobilisation / Dematerialisation

9 Regional Trends MEFMI (10 ) –Angola –Botswana –Lesotho –Malawi –Namibia –Swaziland –Tanzania –Uganda –Zambia –Zimbabwe SADC (14) –Angola –Botswana –Lesotho –Malawi –Namibia –Swaziland –Tanzania –Zambia –Zimbabwe –DRC –Seychelles –South Africa –Mauritius –Mozambique

10 SADC REGION

11 SADC Developments 9 million SQ Km Estimated population of 190 million Diverse capabilities Dominant use of cash Wide use of cheque Credit transfers and direct debits Payment cards Developing electronic payments

12 SADC Payment Systems Project Launched July 1996 Funded by World Bank South Africa –1993 NPS reform discussions –1995 Strategic Framework published – Development of SAMOS Mauritius –1991 to 1992 embarked on phased programme of monetary policy reforms –1993 NPS reform discussions Zimbabwe –1995 NPS reform discussions –Preceded by economic reform programme

13 SADC Payment Systems Project Phase One –Creation of awareness –Building of common language –Understanding current situation as foundation for vision and strategy setting –BIS Publication ( Green Book 1996) Phase Two –SADC future payment systems –Shared vision + documented strategy (1999)

14 SADC Payment Systems Project Publications –Green Book –Vulindhlela ( SADC Newsletter) –Strategy documents –Guide to Developing Payment Systems Reform – Requirements for SADC suitable RTGS system Internet Connectivity –Interactive website Capacity building MEFMI, World Bank, IMF, BIS Payment systems agenda item Improved payment systems environment –Risk awareness

15 SADC RTGS Systems Implemented –South Africa 9 March 1998 (92% gross settlement) –Mauritius December 2000 (66%) –Malawi 19 March 2002 (72%) –Namibia 10 June 2002 ( not available) –Zimbabwe 18 November 2002 (26%) In progress –Tanzania Selection process –5 countries

16 Challenges Infrastructural constraints Telecomms and Electricity Resources Legal issues Standards Country specific policies Management of change Buy in Reform of securities settlement systems Resilience Scope of Oversight how far do you go?

17 Question Should we continue to strive for regional initiatives given disparities? YES based on a number of considerations incl: –Realised benefits –Benefits of synergy –Global trends cannot be ignored –Search for financial stability SADC subscribes to various initiatives –E.g. Core principles for SIPS –Recommendations for SSS –FSAP

18 Quote “Payment and settlement systems are to economic activity what roads are to traffic:necessary but typically taken for granted, unless they cause an accident or unless bottlenecks develop” BIS : Annual Report 1994

19 Quote “Its no good stopping the fraud in your own backyard, only for it to migrate to the country next door” Bert Morris- National Westminster Bank

20 CONCLUSION World never stands still. This is true of payments and their clearing processes Financial sector developments, expansion in cross border capital flows as well as growth in foreign exchange transactions and securities trading are here to stay. While we tackle the challenges posed by these developments, we must not lose the opportunities for innovation, investment as well as doing things better Payment systems reform is a cooperative affair,without cooperation there would be no payment systems……..etc

21 THANK YOU

22 RISK