CBI INFO & IRAQI DINAR NEWS

Banking reform in Iraq: A transformation or a temporary settlement?

Banking reform in Iraq: A transformation or a temporary settlement?

2026-08-25

Shafaq News – Baghdad
Economic experts emphasize that reforming the Iraqi banking sector has become a necessity that goes beyond addressing the restrictions imposed on a number of banks or improving their relations with foreign financial institutions, to include rebuilding confidence in banks, cleaning up their balance sheets, and strengthening governance and oversight.

Experts also stress the importance of expanding credit directed to the real economy, at a time when Baghdad is Read more…

Iraq’s foreign reserves have declined by more than $11 billion.

Iraq’s foreign reserves have declined by more than $11 billion.

2026-08-24

Shafaq News – Baghdad
Data from the Central Bank of Iraq on Monday showed that Iraq’s foreign reserves fell to $86.175 billion at the end of June 2026, a decrease of $11.257 billion, or 11.6%, compared to the end of 2025, when they stood at $97.432 billion.

According to data seen by Shafaq News Agency, foreign reserves declined during the first months of 2026, after rising to $101.082 billion in January, then to $102.131 billion in February, Read more…

Is JPMorgan pulling the rug out from under the Iraqi Central Bank?

Is JPMorgan pulling the rug out from under the Iraqi Central Bank?

8-19-2026

Information / Special..
Political researcher Hussein Al-Shalakh warned on Wednesday of the repercussions of bringing the American bank “JP Morgan” into managing financial transactions related to Iraq, considering that the move may represent a form of hegemony over the Iraqi economy and an undermining of the country’s sovereignty over its funds.

Al-Shalakh told Al-Maalouma that “Iraq does not currently have full sovereignty over its funds,” noting that “a delegation from Washington recently met with Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi and discussed with him the JPMorgan Chase bank and the role it could play in the Iraqi financial system.” Read more…

The parliamentary finance committee responds to statements about removing zeros and sets a condition for raising the value of the dinar.

The parliamentary finance committee responds to statements about removing zeros and sets a condition for raising the value of the dinar.

8-18-2026

Member of Parliament’s Finance Committee, Bassem Al-Gharabi, commented on the statements and news circulating regarding the project to change the currency and remove zeros, stressing the need to deal very cautiously with this issue because of its direct repercussions on economic stability and capital.

Al-Gharabi said in a post followed by Baghdad that “changing the currency is not ordinary news that can be released without considering its repercussions. It is a highly sensitive monetary issue Read more…

Iraq and Iran discuss settling financial dues and regulating trade exchange.

Iraq and Iran discuss settling financial dues and regulating trade exchange.

2026-08-17

Shafaq News – Baghdad
On Monday, the governors of the Central Bank of Iraq, Nizar Nasser Hussein, and Iran, Abdul Nasser Hemmati, discussed the mechanism for settling financial dues between the two countries and regulating trade exchanges in accordance with international governance, transparency and compliance standards.

This came during a meeting that brought together the governors at the headquarters of the Central Bank of Iraq in Baghdad, in the presence of the Iranian ambassador to Iraq, Mohammad Kazem Al-Sadegh, and his accompanying Read more…

Removing zeros from the Iraqi dinar: A long-awaited economic reform or a risk of inflation?

Removing zeros from the Iraqi dinar: A long-awaited economic reform or a risk of inflation?

2026-08-16

Alsumaria News–
Economically, the issue of removing zeros from the Iraqi currency has resurfaced, following statements by the Minister of Communications. Mustafa Sand The issuance of a decision regarding changing the currency and removing zeros from it, in a development that has reopened one of the most controversial monetary issues in Iraq Amid economic and public questions about the truth of the decision, the entity that issued it, and the date it will come into effect.
The minister’s statement, which was circulated by local media on August 15, came without clear details regarding Read more…

Economic Observatory: Government silence regarding “currency change” is confusing the Iraqi dinar market

Economic Observatory: Government silence regarding “currency change” is confusing the Iraqi dinar market

2026-08-16

Shafaq News – Baghdad
On Sunday, the Economic Observatory of Iraq criticized the confusion in the government’s discourse, which is represented in announcing sensitive economic and monetary decisions, such as changing the currency, through unqualified entities, amid the silence of the Central Bank of Iraq and the Ministry of Finance.

The observatory stated in a statement received by Shafaq News Agency that “managing a file as large as the national currency through scattered statements, instead of clear official conferences and statements issued by the competent Read more…

The Iraqi central bank’s reserves have declined to 102 trillion dinars, and its liabilities to the government have doubled.

The Iraqi central bank’s reserves have declined to 102 trillion dinars, and its liabilities to the government have doubled.

2026-08-13

Shafaq News – Baghdad
The head of the “Iraq Future” Foundation for Economic Studies and Consultations, economic expert Manar Al-Obaidi, revealed today, Thursday, significant shifts and declines in the financial indicators of the Central Bank of Iraq, pointing to an increase in the bank’s net claim on the government compared to a decrease in the size of official reserves.

Al-Obaidi explained in an economic analysis based on the latest operational and banking data that the net claims of the Central Bank on the Iraqi government recorded a significant increase to reach 66.6 trillion Iraqi dinars, Read more…

The Minister of Finance and the Governor of the Central Bank discuss the financial and economic situation.

The Minister of Finance and the Governor of the Central Bank discuss the financial and economic situation.

8-10-2026

Finance Minister Faleh Sari and Central Bank Governor Nizar Nasser Hussein discussed the financial and economic situation in the country on Sunday (August 9, 2026).

The Ministry of Finance stated in a statement that “Finance Minister Faleh Sari received Sunday, the Governor of the Central Bank of Iraq, Nizar Nasser Hussein, where the financial and economic situation was discussed in light of the current challenges.”

The minister stressed, according to the statement, that “the current circumstances require continuous coordination Read more…

Will the central bank’s funds be sufficient to cover salaries? An economist explains.

Will the central bank’s funds be sufficient to cover salaries? An economist explains.

8-9-2026

Information/Baghdad…
Economic expert Safwan Qusay clarified the Central Bank’s ability to secure salaries for the upcoming period given the current circumstances.
Qusay told Al-Maalouma, “Iraq exports oil to the Turkish port of Ceyhan and 120,000 barrels per day via tankers to Banias in Syria, in addition to exports through the south towards the Strait of Hormuz, which approached 42 million barrels last July.”
He added, “Iraq succeeded in generating up to $3 billion from these exports, but this amount is insufficient to cover Read more…

The Ministry of Finance and the Central Bank agree on measures to enhance financial and monetary stability.

The Ministry of Finance and the Central Bank agree on measures to enhance financial and monetary stability.

8-9-2026

Information/Baghdad…
Finance Minister Faleh Sari emphasized to the Governor of the Central Bank of Iraq, Nizar Nasser Hussein, on Sunday that the current circumstances necessitate continuous coordination.
A statement from the Ministry of Finance, received by the Information Agency, indicated that “Finance Minister Faleh Sari met with the Governor of the Central Bank of Iraq, Nizar Nasser Hussein, where they discussed the financial and economic situation in light of the current challenges.”
The Minister stressed that “the current circumstances require continuous Read more…

After delays in payment, a member of parliament proposes a “virtual currency” to solve the salary crisis.

After delays in payment, a member of parliament proposes a “virtual currency” to solve the salary crisis.

2026-08-07

Shafaq News – Baghdad
On Friday, Saad Al-Awadi, the deputy head of the National Approach parliamentary bloc, proposed a plan to secure the salaries of employees and retirees through the “digital dinar” and end the “cash crisis” in Iraq.

In a statement received by Shafaq News Agency, MP Al-Awadi said that this initiative is “a comprehensive economic initiative to address the cash liquidity crisis and ensure the stability of salary payments for employees and retirees, through the launch of the (digital Iraqi dinar) and to facilitate access to financial entitlements for employees without the need to deal with paper money.” Read more…

Exclusive: Iraqi currency issuance jumps 13.8% in five months under pressure from salaries and expenses

Exclusive: Iraqi currency issuance jumps 13.8% in five months under pressure from salaries and expenses

2026-08-05

Shafaq News – Baghdad
A special survey conducted by Shafaq News Agency showed that the volume of Iraqi currency issuance rose to 113.560 trillion dinars in May 2026, an increase of about 13.761 trillion dinars, or 13.8%, compared to the end of December 2025, amid escalating financial pressures that prompted the government to seek liquidity to ensure the payment of salaries and basic expenses.

According to data monitored by the agency, the issuance of cash rose from 99.799 trillion dinars Read more…

Iraqi central bank’s dollar sales rise to 5.86 billion in June

Iraqi central bank’s dollar sales rise to 5.86 billion in June

2026-08-05

Shafaq News – Baghdad
The Central Bank of Iraq’s sales of foreign currency rose during June 2026 to $5.857 billion, compared to $5.092 billion in May, an increase of $765 million, representing a growth rate of 15%.

According to data seen by Shafaq News Agency, this increase was driven by an increase in the value of banks’ balances outside the foreign currency sale window to $5.538 billion in June, compared to Read more…

The currency issued in Iraq rose to 113.6 trillion dinars by the end of last May.

The currency issued in Iraq rose to 113.6 trillion dinars by the end of last May.

2026-08-04

Shafaq News – Baghdad
The currency issued in Iraq recorded an increase to reach more than 113 trillion dinars by the end of May 2026, coinciding with the continued rise in cash circulating outside banks, according to official data from the Central Bank of Iraq.

Data seen by Shafaq News Agency showed that the currency issued amounted to 113.560 trillion dinars at the end of May, compared to 112.896 trillion dinars Read more…

Iraq’s domestic public debt rises to 103 trillion dinars by the end of May

Iraq’s domestic public debt rises to 103 trillion dinars by the end of May

2026-08-03

Shafaq News – Baghdad
Iraq’s domestic public debt rose to more than 103 trillion dinars by the end of May 2026, marking an increase compared to the previous month, according to data from the Central Bank of Iraq.

Central Bank data seen by Shafaq News Agency showed that domestic public debt reached 103.179 trillion dinars by the end of May 2026, compared to 95.679 trillion dinars at the end of April 2026, and 90.515 trillion dinars at the end of 2025. Read more…

A US report exonerates “dollar shipments” from Iraq’s crises: they have no connection to salaries.

A US report exonerates “dollar shipments” from Iraq’s crises: they have no connection to salaries.

2026-08-01

Shafaq News – Translation
The United States’ decision to suspend cash dollar shipments to Iraq for about three months, before resuming them at the beginning of July, sparked a wave of questions and interpretations that linked the move to restricting Baghdad’s access to its oil revenues, or threatening its ability to pay salaries and finance the economy.

However, a report by the Atlantic Council , prepared by Middle East program researcher Ahmad Tabakhjali and translated by Shafaq News Agency, argues that these perceptions are based on an inaccurate understanding of the nature of Iraqi accounts at the Federal Reserve Bank of New York, and the mechanism through which oil revenues Read more…

Gold prices hold steady… Iraq’s foreign reserves decline by more than $7 billion in five months

Gold prices hold steady… Iraq’s foreign reserves decline by more than $7 billion in five months

2026-08-01

Shafaq News – Baghdad
Data from the Central Bank of Iraq showed a decline in foreign reserves during the first five months of 2026, while gold reserves remained higher than at the end of 2025, and the bank’s total assets decreased.

According to data reviewed by Shafaq News Agency, foreign reserves decreased from $101.082 billion at the end of January 2026 to $93.673 billion at the end of May, a decline of $7.409 billion, or 7.3%. Their value in local currency also fell from 131.407 trillion dinars to Read more…

Iraqi private banks are facing increasing pressure to meet the requirements of the US Federal Reserve and have sanctions lifted.

Iraqi private banks are facing increasing pressure to meet the requirements of the US Federal Reserve and have sanctions lifted.

2026-07-30

Shafaq News – Baghdad
Banking sources revealed on Thursday new and urgent directives to private banks in Iraq, aimed at completing the requirements that were raised during Prime Minister Ali al-Zubaidi’s visit to Washington, in preparation for completing the procedures to lift the sanctions and restrictions imposed on a number of banks.

The sources told Shafaq News Agency that the requirements that were emphasized include strengthening anti-money laundering and counter-terrorism financing measures, compliance and governance, tightening control over dollar Read more…

Why have small denominations disappeared from the markets? Al-Zaydi’s advisor reveals the reasons.

Why have small denominations disappeared from the markets? Al-Zaydi’s advisor reveals the reasons.

2026-07-29

Shafaq News – Baghdad
The Prime Minister’s financial advisor, Mazhar Muhammad Salih, revealed on Wednesday the reasons for the scarcity of small denominations of currency in Iraqi markets, stressing that this is mainly related to their paper nature and the high speed of their circulation, which leads to their deterioration within a short period of time.

Saleh told Shafaq News Agency that issuing currency in its various denominations is one of the core tasks of the Central Bank of Iraq, which is responsible for managing the currency and providing the necessary liquidity Read more…