In 2016, several high-denomination notes were withdrawn from circulation.
- In May, the European Central Bank announced it would stop issuing the € 500 note towards the end of 2018. The €500 banknoteA banknote (or ‘bill’ as it is often referred to in the US) is a type of negotiable promissory note, issued by a bank or other licensed authority, payable to the bearer on demand. More will always retain its value and can be exchanged at the national central banksIn general, the expression refers to the central banks of different countries. More of the EurosystemThe Eurosystem comprises the European Central Bank and the national central banks of those countries that have adopted the euro. More for an unlimited period of time.
- On 8 November, the Indian Prime Minister boldly announced the demonetisation of the IDR500 and IDR1,000 the two highest denominations which account for 84% of the value of notes in circulation and 23 billion notes.
- On 12 December, President Nicolàs Maduro of Venezuela announced the immediate withdrawal of the 100 bolivar. The withdrawal was initially to take place within 72 hours, but the lack of new notes triggered widespread protests and looting; the use of the banknote was then extended until after the new year.
The Swiss, on the other hand, decided to stick with the CHF1,000. According to Jean-Pierre Roth, former President of the SNB (Swiss National Bank) “The decision to stop issuing high-denomination banknotes will receive the blessing of well-meaning souls but it will fail to meet its objective of fighting efficiently against criminality and will have negative side effects.”
Other countries could be contemplating the withdrawal of high denominations from circulation.
In December the FT reported that the £50 was in danger of being dropped by the Bank of England. One explanation is that the note is hard to get hold of; amongst the major UK banks, only Barclays’ ATMs dispense the £50. But the article emphasizes that this is “linked to a wider drive to push us towards a cashless society”. Some central bankers and economists like the cashless concept because it provides an opportunity to perfect monetary policy in an age of negative interest rates: its cuts off an escape route for anyone impertinent enough to want to retain the full value of their moneyFrom the Latin word moneta, nickname that was given by Romans to the goddess Juno because there was a minting workshop next to her temple. Money is any item that is generally accepted as payment for goods and services and repayment of debts, such as taxes, in a particular region, country or socio-economic context. Its onset dates back to the origins of humanity and its physical representation has taken on very varied forms until the appearance of metal coins. The banknote, a typical representati... More.
Meanwhile, in Australia, Revenue and Financial Services Minister Kelly O’Dwyer announced on ABC Radio in December, a review of the $100 note and restrictions of cashMoney in physical form such as banknotes and coins. More payments over certain limits as the government looks to recover billions in unpaid tax. According to the Sydney Morning Herald, the government “will set up a taskforce, to be headed by former KPMG global chairman Michael Andrew, to draw on the experience of France, where the government is banning cash payments of over 1000 euros, and Sweden, where businesses that trade in cash are required to use a certified cash registerSee See-through register. More that is seen by tax authorities.” However, the December issue of the Reserve Bank of Australia Quarterly Bulletin states: “Moreover, the current mix of banknote denominations continues to meet community demand for a secure means of paymentA transfer of funds which discharges an obligation on the part of a payer vis-à-vis a payee. More and store of wealth.”