Among underbanked Americans, cash usage remained at 78% throughout 2020
Mar 3, 2022
This statistic is from The Health of Cash and its Role Expanding the Digital Economy.
This report, produced by Javelin Strategy & Research and sponsored by Cardtronics, explores how cash usage supports the digital economy and modern consumer priorities such as enjoying safe and easy commerce.
In America, as the pandemic disrupted spending, cash rebounded quicker than other payment methods and remained the number one payment choice throughout 2020.
The resiliency of cash during the pandemic indicates that many consumers strongly prefer to have a choice of payment options.
Cash has remained in good standing with consumers, who cite benefits such as the protection of their privacy and financial security (66%), its importance in society (63%) and its safety to use (58%).
While digital commerce in America often lacks a cash payment option, the report argues it should be. 31% of respondents indicated they would prefer to pay cash for personal services, 28% for order-ahead food and 19% for goods ordered online and picked up in store.
Consumers find cash easier, faster, and more convenient than debit cards while identifying cash as the most protective of their identities and most accepted payment method.
About Javelin and Cardtronics
Javelin Strategy & Research aims to support informed decisions in the world of digital finance, providing strategic insights for financial institutions, government, payments companies, merchants, fintechs and technology providers.
Cardtronics is a financial self-service provider, enabling cash transactions at over 285,000 ATMs across 10 countries in Norther America, Europe, Asia-Pacific and Africa.