February 2018


Supporting Payment Choice in Denmark, Finland, Norway and Sweden

We still await the decision of the Swedish Government as to how it will act to ensure convenient access to cash is improved, across the nation. It seems likely that off-branch cash deposit and recycling ATMs will be a big part of the solution.

Denmark is also a country in which the ATMIA is taking a keen interest. The good news is that it remains obligatory for retailers to accept cash during normal opening hours. Long may this financially inclusive obligation continue!

From Norway, some great news! The Yes To Cash movement, officially founded in 2016, is making great progress by urging members and their families and friends to support businesses which accept cash payments. Read more of this exciting development here.

In Finland, some vested interests are trying to rush the country towards the choice-poor "cashless society" status. You can read more here. Also in Finland, attempts are being made to reintroduce " disloyalty fees", imposed when bank customers use non-bank ATMs. Since non-bank ATMs are serving the Finish public well and, in doing so, supporting Financial Inclusion, the ATMIA is working with Finish members to ensure such onerous fees are not reintroduced. You can read the ATMIA's letter to the Finish Financial Services Authority here. We await the outcome with keen interest.

Returning to Sweden, the ATMIA will be working with the pro cash movement throughout 2018.

Ron Delnevo appeared at the Nordic Finance Forum in Stockholm on 9 November. His presentation emphasised the need for Community Financial Services Hubs to be introduced in Sweden. These Hubs will incorporate SmartATMs, to allow the Deposit, Recycling and Withdrawal of both notes and coins. Such machines, situated in every Community, are vital to the smooth and convenient use of cash by citizens and businesses.

Ron will be back in Sweden during 2018 to return again and again to this vital subject.

If you are interested in this important subject, please contact Ron Delnevo at [email protected]. Ron will be delighted to welcome you to the Payment Choice 2020 Committee.

Interesting reading on this topic:

An article from 'Security User Sverige' on the fight to maintain cash, written by Anders Ellqvist, 15 March 2016. Also, an English translation of 'Cards on the Table', a hugely insightful pamphlet produced by supporters of cash and payment choice in Sweden.

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