General news - Money and payments Mon, 08 Nov 2021 10:17:28 GMT Mon, 18 Mar 2024 07:49:35 GMT https://www.dnb.nl/en/ No more decline in cash acceptance at most Dutch points of sale, except for car parks, cinemas and pharmacies The total number of retailers and service providers in the Netherlands that do not accept cash remained unchanged from last year. Trends are shifting in some sectors, however. Cash is no longer accepted at 25% of car parks, up from 16% a year ago. Mon, 18 Mar 2024 07:49:35 GMT https://www.dnb.nl/en/general-news/dnbulletin-2024/no-more-decline-in-cash-acceptance-at-most-dutch-points-of-sale-except-for-car-parks-cinemas-and-pharmacies/ Who pays for what? Traditional division of tasks is fading among younger generations Among Dutch married and cohabiting couples, women mainly pay the household expenses, such as groceries, while men pay the larger expenses, such as mortgage payments and taxes. But the trend is shifting: among younger generations, this division of tasks is significantly less clear-cut. Fri, 08 Mar 2024 12:00:00 GMT https://www.dnb.nl/en/general-news/dnbulletin-2024/who-pays-for-what-traditional-division-of-tasks-is-fading-among-younger-generations/ Number of counterfeit banknotes down sharply in the Netherlands A total of 17,400 counterfeit euro banknotes were withdrawn from circulation in the Netherlands in 2023, which is the lowest number on record and a reduction by more than half (54%) of the 2022 level. Mon, 29 Jan 2024 12:00:00 GMT https://www.dnb.nl/en/general-news/press-release-2024/number-of-counterfeit-banknotes-down-sharply-in-the-netherlands/ Cash plays an important role for different groups in Dutch society People with disabilities or low digital literacy or who have difficulty making ends meet particularly value cash. Of all Dutch people, 28% say they cannot do without cash and 7% say they only pay with cash at points of sale, but these percentages are higher for the aforementioned focus groups. Tue, 27 Jun 2023 12:00:00 GMT https://www.dnb.nl/en/general-news/dnbulletin-2023/cash-plays-an-important-role-for-different-groups-in-dutch-society/ Minister takes initiative to preserve cash Finance Minister Sigrid Kaag wants banks to continue to provide adequate, basic cash facilities, as she wrote today in a letter to Parliament. In her letter, she also stresses that cash withdrawals and deposits must remain affordable for both consumers and retailers. Wed, 31 May 2023 12:00:00 GMT https://www.dnb.nl/en/general-news/press-release-2023/minister-takes-initiative-to-preserve-cash/ Public trust in financial institutions remains stable despite turmoil in financial markets Dutch households' trust in financial institutions has remained stable over the past year, despite the recent problems faced by banks in the United States and Switzerland. During that period, households did think slightly more often about the possibility of Dutch banks failing. Tue, 02 May 2023 12:00:00 GMT https://www.dnb.nl/en/general-news/dnbulletin-2023/public-trust-in-financial-institutions-remains-stable-despite-turmoil-in-financial-markets/ Dutch people are attached to their cash More than 90% of Dutch people think it is important to be able to pay with cash. They find the €20 banknote the most beautiful, and more than two-thirds of respondents said they had never held a banknote in their hands that they doubted was genuine. Tue, 25 Apr 2023 12:00:00 GMT https://www.dnb.nl/en/general-news/dnbulletin-2023/dutch-people-are-attached-to-their-cash/ Paying with mobile as popular as cash at checkout In 2022, Dutch people used their mobile phone or wearable device for contactless payment at points of sale as often as they paid in cash. The share of these new means of payment rose to 21%, while the use of banknotes and coins stabilised at 20% of total payments. Thu, 06 Apr 2023 12:00:00 GMT https://www.dnb.nl/en/general-news/dnbulletin-2023/paying-with-mobile-as-popular-as-cash-at-checkout/ Some retail sectors refuse cash payments too often What is the state of cash acceptance in shops and by other retailers in the Netherlands? DNB monitors developments annually. Thu, 16 Feb 2023 12:00:00 GMT https://www.dnb.nl/en/general-news/dnbulletin-2023/some-retail-sectors-refuse-cash-payments-too-often/ Increase in counterfeit euro banknotes of very low quality More counterfeit euro banknotes were withdrawn from circulation in the Netherlands in 2022 than in the previous year. A total of 38,200 were found, 47% more than in 2021. This increase is mainly due to a limited number of fraud cases involving counterfeit euro banknotes of very low quality. Mon, 30 Jan 2023 14:39:05 GMT https://www.dnb.nl/en/general-news/press-release-2023/increase-in-counterfeit-euro-banknotes-of-very-low-quality/ Digital banking is a struggle for many Some 2.6 million Dutch people aged 18 and above struggle with their digital payments and other banking affairs. This has emerged from a study conducted by De Nederlandsche Bank (DNB). Mon, 30 Jan 2023 12:00:00 GMT https://www.dnb.nl/en/general-news/news-2023/digital-banking-is-a-struggle-for-many/ Millions of Dutch struggle to get to grips with digital payments 2.6 million Dutch adults do not manage all their banking affairs on their own. This has emerged from a study conducted by DNB. Although many of them would like to be more self-reliant, they need assistance for a variety of reasons. Mon, 30 Jan 2023 12:00:00 GMT https://www.dnb.nl/en/general-news/dnbulletin-2023/millions-of-dutch-struggle-to-get-to-grips-with-digital-payments/ Exchanging Croatian banknotes at DNB You can temporarily exchange Croatian banknotes for euros at DNB. The reason is the introduction of the euro in Croatia. The exchange rate: 7.53450 kuna = 1 euro. Thu, 22 Dec 2022 12:00:00 GMT https://www.dnb.nl/en/general-news/nieuwsberichten-2022/exchanging-croatian-banknotes-at-dnb/ Use of cash lower in euro area countries In most euro area countries, cash is used less and less in point-of-sale (POS) payments, whereas debit and credit cards are used more and more frequently. Nevertheless, cash remains the most important means of payment for six in ten people in the euro area. Tue, 20 Dec 2022 12:00:00 GMT https://www.dnb.nl/en/general-news/dnbulletin-2022/use-of-cash-lower-in-euro-area-countries/ Blog Inge van Dijk - Preparing the euro for a digital future The digital euro has been in the news more and more lately. And rightly so, as digital payments are on the rise. But what is the digital euro, and why is it being developed? Inge van Dijk, DNB's director of Payments, explains. Wed, 23 Nov 2022 12:00:00 GMT https://www.dnb.nl/en/general-news/blogs/blog-inge-van-dijk-preparing-the-euro-for-a-digital-future/ 'We do not see cryptos as money' DNB experts Vera Lubbersen and Peter Wierts took a close look at all the developments in crypto assets. An interview on the pros and cons, how cryptos fit in our money system, and what new regulations will mean for crypto providers. Tue, 08 Nov 2022 13:18:15 GMT https://www.dnb.nl/en/general-news/nieuwsberichten-2022/we-do-not-see-cryptos-as-money/ Proper regulation indispensable for risky cryptos It is of the utmost importance that rules are swiftly agreed upon internationally to regulate the use of crypto-assets such as Bitcoin, Ethereum and Tether. Mon, 07 Nov 2022 15:01:54 GMT https://www.dnb.nl/en/general-news/press-release-2022/proper-regulation-indispensable-for-risky-cryptos/ DNB calls for new agreements about cash De Nederlandsche Bank (DNB) calls on stakeholders in the payment chain to make agreements to ensure that cash remains readily accessible and available in the Netherlands in the next five years. DNB announced this today after outgoing Minister of Finance Wopke Hoekstra had presented... Tue, 26 Apr 2022 07:12:01 GMT https://www.dnb.nl/en/general-news/press-releases-2021/dnb-calls-for-new-agreements-about-cash/ Accessibility of payment services for vulnerable groups deteriorating Consumers from vulnerable groups such as senior citizens, disabled people and those with low digital skills experience a decline in the accessibility and availability of payment services. This seems to be related to the fact that banks increasingly digitalise their services and close branches. Tue, 26 Apr 2022 07:11:52 GMT https://www.dnb.nl/en/general-news/dnbulletins-2021/accessibility-of-payment-services-for-vulnerable-groups-deteriorating/ Confidence in cash remains high, even with decreasing use More than three quarters of the Dutch population expect they will still make cash payments five years from now, but 42% think they will do so less often than today. This was revealed by a survey on the use and perception of cash among some 1,000 Dutch citizens, held in February 2021 Tue, 26 Apr 2022 07:11:51 GMT https://www.dnb.nl/en/general-news/dnbulletins-2021/confidence-in-cash-remains-high-even-with-decreasing-use/ Digital euro appeals to half of the Dutch population About half of the Dutch population would be willing to open a current account for digital euros at the central bank, according to DNB research among a representative group of citizens. Tue, 26 Apr 2022 07:11:50 GMT https://www.dnb.nl/en/general-news/dnbulletins-2021/digital-euro-appeals-to-half-of-the-dutch-population/ Increasing preference for contactless payments Dutch people increasingly prefer paying contactless, using either debit cards or devices such as mobile phones, smartwatches and wearables. The use of cash slightly declined during 2021, with one in five payments being made in cash. Tue, 12 Apr 2022 12:00:00 GMT https://www.dnb.nl/en/general-news/dnbulletin-2022/increasing-preference-for-contactless-payments/ Trust at the heart of the DNB Payments Strategy In these times of increasing digitalisation, the new Payments Strategy of De Nederlandsche Bank (DNB) focuses on safeguarding trust. Tue, 29 Mar 2022 12:00:00 GMT https://www.dnb.nl/en/general-news/press-release-2022/trust-at-the-heart-of-the-dnb-payments-strategy/ Number of counterfeit euro banknotes remains stable A total of 26,100 counterfeit euro banknotes were withdrawn from circulation in the Netherlands in 2021, roughly the same number as in 2020. Worldwide, a total of 347,000 counterfeit euro banknotes were detected, a decrease of 25% compared to 2020. Fri, 28 Jan 2022 12:00:00 GMT https://www.dnb.nl/en/general-news/press-release-2022/number-of-counterfeit-euro-banknotes-remains-stable/ Better insight into bitcoin's climate impact The total carbon footprint of the bitcoin network increased by about 25% in 2020, while the number of transactions fell by 6%. This amounts to a climate impact of about 402 kg of CO2 per bitcoin transaction in 2020, Thu, 13 Jan 2022 12:00:00 GMT https://www.dnb.nl/en/general-news/dnbulletin-2022/better-insight-into-bitcoin-s-climate-impact/ DNB calls for unambiguous communication about cash acceptance Consumers are increasingly paying electronically for in-store purchases. In 3% of stores they have no alternative because the retailer pursues a card-only policy. 27% of retailers use promotional materials to encourage consumers to pay electronically. Thu, 25 Nov 2021 08:00:00 GMT https://www.dnb.nl/en/general-news/dnbulletins-2021/dnb-calls-for-unambiguous-communication-about-cash-acceptance/ Safe payments are fundamental to sustaining trust and confidence in the payment system A wide range of factors contribute to confidence in the payment system, the most important of which is being able to pay safely. High public confidence in the payment system held up well during these turbulent times. Thu, 21 Oct 2021 08:00:00 GMT https://www.dnb.nl/en/general-news/dnbulletins-2021/safe-payments-are-fundamental-to-sustaining-trust-and-confidence-in-the-payment-system/ Pandemic boosted debit card use in 2020: for the first time, consumers made more debit card payments than cash payments in all sectors Consumers in the Netherlands used debit cards, smartphones or wearables to pay for 79% of their purchases in shops, restaurants and similar establishments in 2020, which is a sharp rise compared to 2019. Tue, 13 Apr 2021 08:00:00 GMT https://www.dnb.nl/en/general-news/dnbulletins-2021/pandemic-boosted-debit-card-use-in-2020-for-the-first-time-consumers-made-more-debit-card-payments-than-cash-payments-in-all-sectors/ Introduction of instant payments across the euro area Instant payments are already in widespread use in the Netherlands. But the instant execution of a euro payment to a customer of a foreign bank is not yet possible in many cases. Find out more. Wed, 31 Mar 2021 12:00:00 GMT https://www.dnb.nl/en/general-news/news-2021/introduction-of-instant-payments-across-the-euro-area/ Contactless payments on the rise during the COVID-19 pandemic Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, many Dutch consumers have switched to card- or smartphone-based contactless payment at points of sale. Tue, 22 Dec 2020 12:00:00 GMT https://www.dnb.nl/en/general-news/dnbulletin-2020/contactless-payments-on-the-rise-during-the-covid-19-pandemic/ DNB study: Cash must remain accessible and available A new DNB study concludes that cash still plays an essential role in society. However, the necessary infrastructure is under pressure, which can have negative consequences for the accessibility and acceptance of cash as a means of payment. DNB has therefore commissioned a medium-term study... Thu, 17 Dec 2020 12:00:00 GMT https://www.dnb.nl/en/general-news/dnbulletin-2020/dnb-study-cash-must-remain-accessible-and-available/ Contactless payments gaining further ground during the COVID-19 crisis In the Netherlands, the initial weeks of the lockdown saw payment transactions plummet in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, in terms of both numbers and value. Consumer payments have meanwhile rebounded in both terms. Supported by measures which Dutch banks have taken, contactless payments... Thu, 30 Jul 2020 12:00:00 GMT https://www.dnb.nl/en/general-news/dnbulletin-2020/contactless-payments-gaining-further-ground-during-the-covid-19-crisis/ DNB calls on crypto service providers to apply for registration before 18 May On 21 April 2020, the law was passed under which crypto service providers are subject to the integrity supervision of De Nederlandsche Bank. The new legislation is expected to enter into force on 18 May 2020. DNB calls on crypto service providers to apply for registration before that date... Mon, 04 May 2020 12:00:00 GMT https://www.dnb.nl/en/general-news/news-2020/dnb-calls-on-crypto-service-providers-to-apply-for-registration-before-18-may/ A Counterfeit banknote can be recognised in a second How much time do you need to recognise a counterfeit banknote and which of the senses are the most effective? DNB research shows that the combination of looking and feeling works best. People can easily distinguish between genuine and counterfeit banknotes even within the space... Thu, 16 Apr 2020 12:00:00 GMT https://www.dnb.nl/en/general-news/dnbulletin-2020/a-counterfeit-banknote-can-be-recognised-in-a-second/ Costs of introducing payment account alias would exceed benefits Introducing unique aliases for all payment account numbers in the Netherlands would entail costs that outstrip the benefits. While it would make switching to a different bank easier, its social costs would widely outstrip its benefits. This emerges from a DNB study commissioned by Wopke Hoekstra... Thu, 02 Apr 2020 12:00:00 GMT https://www.dnb.nl/en/general-news/dnbulletin-2020/costs-of-introducing-payment-account-alias-would-exceed-benefits/ Dutch retailers continue to accept cash Consumers were able to pay in cash at 97% of all retailers as at mid-2019. This emerged from a DNB-commissioned study into cash acceptance by retailers and their reasons for accepting or refusing cash. Cash is still the most widely accepted means of payment. However, some retailers say they may... Mon, 09 Mar 2020 12:00:00 GMT https://www.dnb.nl/en/general-news/dnbulletin-2020/dutch-retailers-continue-to-accept-cash/ Data age calls for increased attention from the banking sector and DNB The loans, savings and payments market is changing and becoming increasingly more challenging with the advent of new parties and the dawn of the data age. In this highly dynamic environment, institutions must give first priority to the security, governance, optimum use and quality of... Wed, 22 Jan 2020 12:00:00 GMT https://www.dnb.nl/en/general-news/dnbulletin-2020/data-age-calls-for-increased-attention-from-the-banking-sector-and-dnb/