Press Release: Cash payments: euro passes 50% mark

At the end of the third business day on 5 January 2002 the euro was being used for the majority of cash transactions in the euro area. ATMs and bank counters are providing nothing but euros, as are the vast majority of small and large retailers. Minor problems with the availability of small- denomination banknotes and certain coin denominations were reported in most Member States but this was not interfering with normal trading. Exceptional measures have been taken in certain Member States in order to help with the distribution of small denominations this Saturday. The public are reminded that it is preferable to change large amounts of cash at their bank instead of spending it in retail outlets.