The future of cash in Finland : a basic service secured by law?

Abstract

Cash, banknotes and coins, is a familiar means of payment for everyone. The use of cash as a means of payment has declined and the use of cards has increased over the last twenty years. The coronavirus crisis has further reduced the use of cash, perhaps permanently. Even so, cash is still an important means of payment for many Finns. Cash also has some special features that electronic payment methods lack. In addition, cash is required as a fall-back in the event of disruptions in payments. Cash must be available and it must be possible to use cash for as long as people need and want it.