Univ.-Prof. Dr. Gerhard Merk, Dipl.rer.pol., Dipl.rer.oec.Blocking denotes placing cash or securities under a transfer restriction, temporarily preventing the holder from disposing of the covered assets until the restriction is removed. It concerns the ability to use or move those assets and does not itself change ownership, custody, or complete a transaction.
The bond market enables public and private borrowers to obtain debt financing from investors. A bond typically promises periodic interest payments and repayment of principal at a specified date, while some securities adjust their interest payments over time. The market mainly supports medium- and long-term borrowing and investment.
A book-entry system maintains investors' ownership interests in digital account records rather than issuing paper certificates. When an interest changes hands, the relevant accounts are updated electronically to reflect the new holder, eliminating the need to create or hand over a physical instrument.
A book-entry transaction is one carried out solely through records maintained in financial accounts. For investments, the relevant institution updates the holder's securities position instead of exchanging paper certificates. In payment services, it may also mean posting an amount to or from a customer's account based on an ongoing authorization, such as for receiving distributions… read more »
In payments, a brand is the market identity under which a provider offers a card or other payment service. It enables users and businesses to recognize the product and distinguishes it from competing offerings in the markets where it is made available.
The general government's budget balance is the fiscal result recorded for a defined accounting period. It is positive when receipts exceed outlays and negative when outlays are greater than receipts. This indicator shows whether public finances generate a surplus or require additional resources, and its meaning depends on which government entities and transactions are covered.
A backup system provides an alternative means of continuing operations when the normal arrangement is disrupted. It can be used to preserve business activities, services, or infrastructure during outages or other interruptions, regardless of the technology, organisational model, or sector involved.
A BIC is an alphanumeric identifier assigned to a bank or other financial institution for use in payment and messaging activities. SWIFT administers the BIC registration system. Each identifier has an eight-character core, while three additional characters may be appended to identify a particular branch or organisational unit. The core identifies the institution, its country,… read more »
Balance of payments statistics show how an economy interacts financially with non-residents during a given period, covering relevant international receipts, payments and other transactions. They support assessment of external-sector developments, economic policymaking and comparisons across countries. Their compilation and presentation follow the internationally harmonised framework set out in the IMF's Balance of Payments and International… read more »
A cap is a rule that restricts how large a participant’s permitted activity or outstanding position may become in a payment or settlement arrangement. It may govern exposure in either direction, including amounts owed to or receivable from the system, and is determined under the arrangement’s governance and measurement methods.