(ECONOMICS) A bank that is empowered to issue currency. In the USA, between 1863 (National Bank Act) and 1935, any bank with a federally issued charter (i.e., a national bank) was allowed to issue currency. After 1914, few did.

The US Treasury issued a small number of banknotes until 1971.

In the UK, banknotes of the Bank of England are legal tender; but the Royal Bank of Scotland is also a bank of issue.

Today, in almost every country of the world, the sole bank of issue is the central bank of that country.
The People's Bank of China is the bank of issue for the People's Republic of China.
by Abu Yahya May 5, 2010
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