In central banking the advances made in information technology and telecommunication have particularly led to a more efficient payment system catering for real-time gross interbank settlement. New developments in commercial banking include automated teller machines, credit and debit cards, telephone and inter-net banking, intelligent cards and card reading devices.
Masaaki Shirakawa: Recent economic and financial developments in Japan Statement by Mr Masaaki Shirakawa, Governor of the Bank of Japan, concerning the Bank's Semiannual Report on Currency and Monetary Control before the Committee on Financial Affairs, House of Councillors, Tokyo, 16 December 2008.