The role of cash (2024)

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The role of cash (1)

The economy requires a certain amount of available cash to function. Cash is the dominant means of payment within the euro area, as the clear majority of our daily payments are made using banknotes or coins. Cash is also essential for the inclusion of socially vulnerable citizens, such as the elderly or lower-income groups.

But cash offers other important functions and benefits:

  • It ensures your freedom and autonomy. Banknotes and coins are the only form of money that people can keep without involving a third party. You don’t need access to equipment, the internet or electricity to pay with cash, meaning it can be used when the power is down or if you lose your card.
  • It’s legal tender. Creditors, such as shops and restaurants, cannot refuse cash, unless both they and the customer have agreed on another means of payment in advance. For more information see the European Commission recommendation of 22 March 2010 (2010/191/EU).
  • It ensures your privacy. Cash transactions respect our fundamental right to have our privacy, data and identity protected in financial matters.
  • It’s inclusive. Cash provides payment and savings options for people with limited or no access to digital money, making it crucial for the inclusion of socially vulnerable citizens such as the elderly or lower-income groups.
  • It helps you keep track of your expenses. Cash allows you to keep closer control of your spending, for example by preventing you from overspending.
  • It’s fast. Banknotes and coins settle a payment instantly.
  • It’s secure. Cash has proven to be secure in terms of cybercrime, fraud and counterfeiting. And, as it’s central bank money, it doesn’t entail financial risks for either the payer or the payee.
  • It’s a store of value. Cash is more than just a payment instrument. It allows people to hold money for saving purposes without default risk. It is useful for small person-to-person gifts and payments. For example, parents can entrust small amounts of cash to their children for small purchases, or a person can give a friend or acquaintance cash to purchase something on their behalf. Cash also contributes to the financial literacy of children.

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The role of cash (2024)

FAQs

The role of cash? ›

Cash allows you to keep closer control of your spending, for example by preventing you from overspending. It's fast. Banknotes and coins settle a payment instantly. It's secure.

What is the role of cash in society? ›

Cash has a number of special characteristics that distinguish it from digital money. When cash is used, the payee can be certain that payment is effected. Cash can be used for payment purposes throughout society. Cash does not require a underlying infrastructure in the payment situation.

What is the importance of cash? ›

Cash refers to the physical money a business has in notes and coins, along with any money it has in the bank. The management of cash is very important as cash allows a business to pay its bills. The main cash payments a business makes include: payments to suppliers.

What is the point of cash? ›

Cash is legal tender—currency or coins—that can be used to exchange goods, debt, or services. Sometimes it also includes the value of assets that can be easily converted into cash immediately, as reported by a company.

What is the role for money? ›

You are likely familiar with the three functions of money: Medium of exchange: It is used for buying and selling. Store of value: It retains its worth over time. Unit of account: It is a standard numerical unit of measurement.

What are the 3 roles of money? ›

To summarize, money has taken many forms through the ages, but money consistently has three functions: store of value, unit of account, and medium of exchange.

What are 4 uses of cash? ›

  • Scott Thoma, CFA, CFP® • Investment Strategist.
  • U. S. S. E.
  • Unexpected. Expenses and. Emergencies.
  • Specific Short-term. Savings Goal.
  • Everyday Spending.
  • Source of Investment.
  • U. S. S. E. U.
  • E. S.

What are the pros and cons of cash? ›

Pros and Cons of Cash

Most people are willing to spend more on their plastic than in cash. Paying cash also avoids the interest charges on credit cards. If you can't pay your statement balance in full each cycle, you'll accrue interest charges. Some downsides to cash include the risk of loss, theft, and hygiene.

What is the full meaning of cash? ›

1. : money in the form of coins or bills. 2. : money or its equivalent (as a check) paid for goods at the time of purchase or delivery.

Is there any point in having cash? ›

Because keeping money in cash is all about stability and liquidity. And if you were to find yourself in a scenario where you need money now — say you lose your job, or have to manage a financial emergency — you want a stash of money in accounts you can quickly and easily access.

Is there a point in keeping cash? ›

Reasons people keep cash at home include emergency preparedness, financial privacy concerns and mistrust of banks.

What are the 5 characteristics of money? ›

Money is defined as a unit of measure that is generally accepted and recognized as a medium of exchange in the economy. For a commodity or currency to be recognized as money, it must be fungible, stable, recognizable, portable, and durable.

Do we need money in society? ›

Money is a medium of exchange that allows us to acquire things that we need or want, such as food, shelter, clothing, and entertainment. Without money, we would be unable to fulfill our basic needs, let alone enjoy the luxuries that we desire.

What are the four characteristics of money? ›

In general, there are four main characteristics that money should fulfill: durability, divisibility, transportability, and inability to counterfeit.

Why cash is considered as the most important asset? ›

Answer and Explanation: Cash is the most essential asset for small businesses because it is used to meet the obligations of the firm. Companies must have adequate cash to cater for their obligations to avoid the risk of being declared bankrupt.

Why cash is important than profit? ›

In other words, a company can appear profitable “on paper” but not have enough actual cash to replenish its inventory or pay its immediate operating expenses such as lease and utilities. If a company cannot purchase new inventory, it will slowly become unable to generate new sales.

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