Cash connects people

After continuous years of success, CashEssentials is running its fourth photo contest where you’re invited to imagine the future and create your currency. Pick the images, background, name and associated values and let your banknote or coin tell a story of humanity and solidarity.

The Atlanta Fed announced the formation of a Special Committee on Payments Inclusion to find solutions for cash-reliant individuals to become better connected to innovative financial services.

In December 2020, the Global Cash Community joined forces in an initiative called HUMANIA to support the people who have been most affected by the Covid-19 pandemic. HUMANIA launched a currency design initiative, inviting designers to capture a moment from the pandemic and depict it in banknotes or coins.

Bank hubs jointly operated by the 5 leading banks and the Post Office are the latest U.K. initiative to ensure access to cash services for individuals and businesses in a viable way. Eight pilots are currently being trialled across the U.K.

Millions of dollars in aid to Lebanon are being lost in currency exchange as inflation soars out of control, but internal UN documents and interviews with officials suggest that fixing the problem faces political and logistical hurdles, and could even spark violence.

The ATM Industry Association (ATMIA) this week launched Cash Hub. The new portal will house global information about pro-cash initiatives and trends, as well as stories from members about cash during and beyond the pandemic, as a resource for the industry.

The Global Cash Community has launched the HUMANIA initiative to support the people in society who have been most affected by the Covid-19 pandemic. Donating foreign currency is one way to help. Organizations, big and small can set up their own fundraising efforts to support human and economic recovery.

New research published last week by LINK, the UK’s main cash machine network, shows that cash is still the most popular way to get money for Christmas.

As cash payments have been declining during the pandemic, due to reduced economic activity and a shift towards online and contactless payments, consumers and citizens are increasingly calling for the right to access cash and its acceptance for payments.

The Jury gives their take at selected images of CashEssential's third photo contest "SMALL BILL, BIG THRILL: A little Cash goes a Long Way" and their view on the importance of cash today.

The Royal Australian Mint is launching the donation dollar, aimed at encouraging Australians to donate for charity. The Mint plans to produce one for every Australian.

The IBDA and CashEssentials have been joined by other industry organisations - including ATMIA, BnEI, IACA, ICA and Reconnaissance International - to develop an initiative to support global recovery post Covid-19 by bringing together all actors in our community. They are calling this initiative, ‘HUMANIA’ but the project name will be confirmed upon launch of the initiative in September 2020.