Riksbank: More people should be able to pay with cash

The payment systems have been digitized at a rapid pace – which means that Sweden is at the forefront internationally. But the Riksbank believes that there are disadvantages to the development. This appears in this year’s payment report, which describes and analyzes the development of Sweden’s payment market. The Riksbank believes that cash continues to play an important role:

– Everyone needs to pay and therefore everyone must be able to pay, says Erik Thedéen.

He believes that the payment system is an infrastructure system that everyone must have access to.

– We have to take care of everyone, we can’t just say that most people make it.

Public and private actors are also considered to have to work for payments to work in the event of disruptions in crisis situations in peacetime and during heightened preparedness.

Want to see extended investigation

The Riksbank believes that the investigation that the government appointed into cash should be expanded. They also want the banks to be obliged to accept notes and coins from private individuals – something they are not today.

The banks also need to review who they give access to a payment account. The Riksbank believes that many are today excluded because they are considered too risky customers. The banks are now proposed to offer accounts with limited functions.

– Without an account, it is basically impossible to have a functioning life in Sweden, says Christina Wejshammar, head of the department for payments.

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