The Bank of England published in its quarterly bulleting an update on cash. The headlines were that cash has made a partial recovery.

The Bank of Canada runs two ‘Cash Alternative Surveys’ in April and August each year of a representative sample of 2,500–3,500 Canadians. It combines this with data from its Bank Note Distribution System to monitor the use of cash.

Last month we reviewed the Bank of Canada’s report on the impact of the second wave of COVID-19 on cash usage in Canada. This month we consider a report using data from four countries, the UK, the US, Spain and Mexico, as well as the EU.

Whilst we may all be tired of hearing about COVID-19 and its impact on just about everything to do with our everyday lives, it is important for those involved with cash and payments to examine its impact on cash and payments to date and perhaps, more importantly still, the implications for the future.

The International Association of Currency Affairs (IACA) held its Excellence in Currency awards ceremony this month, the topic of which was 'Best Currency Initiatives Implemented in Response to The Covid-19 Pandemic’.

The Economist Intelligence Unit has issued a paper, ‘Going Digital. Payments in the Post-Covid World’. It is interesting both for what it says and how it says it.

The Bundesbank held its international cash conference in June 2021 on the topic of ‘Cash in Times of Turmoil’. The future of cash was extensively explored alongside the impact of the pandemic on cash usage and consumer behaviour.

Three reports bring insight into the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on payments in the US.

The ECB has published a comprehensive report of what has happened to cash in the euro area during the pandemic.

Outman Consulting has published a review of cash usage in Southern Europe, focusing on Italy and Spain. It surveyed 2,000 consumers in Italy and Spain in January 2021 to understand the impact on payments of the pandemic. It found that, for purchases under €10, the preference for using cash had declined from 78% to about 48%. Why and will the change stick?