Cash matters: Now, more than ever in the time of coronavirus

Editor's note:The ATMIA, along with several groups and organizations within the ATM industry, came together in Brussels to support the use of currency in the worldwide marketplace. The result of this effort was a joint statement to banks, industry, government and the media, outlining their position. ATM Marketplace is printing this statement in its entirety.

Brussels, April 15, 2020:Groups representing the currency, ATM, transportation and security sectors call on governments, central banks, media, business and society to stand up for cash, to protect the resilience of the existing payment ecosystem and ensure vulnerable groups are not deprived of the only means of payment that is available to all. Cash is safe: we should stop stigmatizing its users.

Banknotes and coins are safe to use in the era of the Coronavirus. Stigmatizing their use erodes personal freedom and choice, hurts marginalized groups, and only benefits private payment providers at the expense of the consumer. A coalition of stakeholders came together to stress these points to policymakers, media and the public. The International Currency Association (ICA, representing the currency industry), CashEssentials (a pro-cash policy group), the International Security Ligue (representing the private security sector), the European Security Transport Association (ESTA, the European cash management companies association), the ATM Industry Association (ATMIA, a not-for-profit trade association representing the international ATM industry) and Cash Matters (an advocacy movement for cash) have joined forces to continue to supply cash in an uninterrupted and safe way, and advocate globally for cash's role at the heart of our economies.

Governments around the world have stressed the importance of ensuring the continued supply of cash as a critical infrastructure. The currency, security, ATM and transport sectors have been working tirelessly throughout this pandemic to ensure that the supply of cash continues for everyone. [They are] ensuring cash continues to fulfil its role in protecting privacy, choice, and access to payment for all, including the most vulnerable. Intensive measures have been taken to ensure continued supply and availability of cash, safeguarding secure processes and [the] health and the safety of workers and service operators throughout production sites, transportation and distribution to ensure availability and access to cash to the public around the globe.  

As the Bank of International Settlements and central banks around the world, as well as public health organizations like WHO and the Robert Koch Institute, have stressed, cash is safe to use. Consumers using payment cards should take the same precautions as those handling banknotes and coins, by washing their hands and minimizing contact with any surfaces. Consumers and cashiers are exposed to the same risk independent of the choice of payment instrument. 

Cash is a universal means of payment available to all, regardless of social status, financial standing, creditworthiness, age, gender, race, nationality, and ability. It is particularly vital to older people, the homeless and other marginalized groups, like the 1.7 billion unbanked people in this world. Cash also protects the privacy and anonymity of its users, and their personal freedom; card, mobile and contactless payments increase amounts of data being shared on consumers.

Merchants and consumers should continue using cash— because standing up for cash means protecting our civil liberties and helping the most vulnerable. Cash is resilient in times of crisis, it plays a critical and positive societal and economic role, and it is safe to use. Governments and central banks should ensure everyone who wants to pay with cash can do so, free of stigma.

For more information on how the coronavirus has affected the ATM industry, clickhere.