Means of payment: Bundesbank board: Cash remains | Stern.de

There are fewer and fewer ATMs in Germany. However, the board of directors of the Deutsche Bundesbank sees cash supply, however, secured nationwide. “Overall, we are in a good deal in a European comparison-with more than 50,000 cash output machines in Germany,” said Burkhard Balz in an interview with the news portal “T-Online”.

Nevertheless, he admitted that the number of ATMs and banking points had recently decreased significantly. “In some regions, it could be more difficult to get cash in the future.” Balz therefore called for more collaborations – for example when operating ATMs. “The Netherlands show it: there the banks operate their ATMs together through a central company. This could also be a model for Germany.”

“Cash is lived freedom”

Cash will continue to remain an important part of payment transactions in the future. Although the cash payment decreases, many transactions in Germany would still be handled in cash – even more than 50 percent in 2023. Cash will also play a central role in ten to 15 years, the Bundesbank board was convinced.

Among other things, Balz cited the need for anonymity, security and control as reasons for the high cash affinity. “Cash is lived freedom,” he said. And in times of crisis, for example in the event of power outages or cyber attacks, the value of cash as a crisis -proof and independent means of payment is shown: “Cash cannot be chopped.”

Balz: Digital euros should complement the cash

At the same time, he spoke out for a certain amount of bargel regulation. The introduction of an EU-wide upper limit for cash transactions of 10,000 euros from 2027 called Balz a “good compromise between freedom and control”.

With a view to the digital euro, he emphasized that he should complement the cash but not replace. “The digital euro is an extremely sensible addition to cash,” said Balz. “He will never replace the analogue.” An introduction is realistic at the earliest in 2029.