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2018 Health of Cash study: US consumers value payment choice

Each year, the independent Health of Cash study sponsored by Cardtronics reveals that, in spite of advances in digital and mobile payment technology, cash maintains its place as a pillar of payments and a top choice for consumers.

Photo iStock.com/utah778

December 14, 2018

By Brian Bailey, Executive Vice President and Managing Director, North America Business Group

Each year, the independent Health of Cash study sponsored by Cardtronics reveals that, in spite of advances in digital and mobile payment technology, cash maintains its place as a pillar of payments and a top choice for consumers.

The fact is, cash matters. In 2018, 73 percent of consumers used cash regularly despite more payment methods being available.

In fact, the intrinsic value of cash hasn’t changed much since the annual Health of Cash survey began four years ago. Consumers value cash because it is universal, safe and always available, even when digital payments falter.

People want choice in their payment options — and often choose cash

Consumers value choice in how they pay and vary their payment method based on the situation.

In fact, 92 percent like having the ability to use a variety of payment methods, and they still value the steady, stable nature of cash. 

Thirty-seven percent of people said they tend to pay more often with cash than they did a few years ago, and 81 percent use cash as often or more often than in 2017. 

Cash remains a steady favorite for giving and receiving money. Seventy percent of those surveyed prefer using cash to pay money back to a family member or friend, while 65 percent like receiving cash from a friend or family member when owed money.

This is against a backdrop of a steady rise in the use of mobile apps, such as Venmo and Zelle that enable digital person-to-person payments. While these app-systems have penetrated the P2P landscape, cash is still the most cited way to pay other people.

The growing digital landscape reflects technological evolution – not an end to cash

While new mobile payment options continue to pop up with regularity, mobile payments were never favored by more than 10 percent of respondents for any retail payment situation surveyed. 

In addition, digital payment users themselves aren’t shying away from using cash. Four in five say they always try to keep cash on hand, and 55 percent acknowledge they get upset when places don’t accept cash. 

Cash is the only payment option available to all, all the time

Cash is the only payment method available to everyone regardless of income level or age and plays an important role in addressing societal needs.

More than 9 in 10 respondents think that cash is an essential method of payment for those who do not have a checking or savings account. What’s more, two-thirds believe laws and ordinances should bar retailers and restaurants from going cashless.

In addition, Americans think cash serves other purposes beyond just being a form of payment. Eighty-two percent believe cash teaches financial responsibility, and 61 percent have used cash to help them keep within their budget.

Plus, consumers associate credit card use with debt, with nearly two-thirds saying they don’t like using credit cards because they dislike being in debt.

Overall, cash continues to rank highest among payment methods that people say they are likely to use in the next six months, with 94 percent anticipating the use of cash in the next six months.

People are especially likely to have cash readily available when going out of town or preparing for an unknown situation, with 90 percent considering cash to be safe to use and 95 percent thinking it is reliable.


Download the 2018 Health of Cash study today to learn more about:

  • The importance of choice in the payments landscape.
  • The future of cash in a digital age. 
  • The role of cash in society.

 

This Story Sponsored by ...

New Research – U.S. Cash and Payment Preference
Health of Cash 2018 provides an in-depth look at how U.S. consumers view payments and the role of cash in the payments mix. Learn how cash continues to enjoy a preferred place amongst payment options.
Download the free report today.

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