Sweden must ask fundamental questions on money – Ingves

The ability to pay and get paid for goods and services is a prerequisite for an efficient society. In the same way as we assume water will come out when we turn on the tap, or the light will come on when we flick the switch, we assume payments will be carried out quickly and safely.

Here, the Swedish central bank plays an important role. Not only does Sveriges Riksbank issue cash as legal tender, but it is also responsible for the Rix payment system. Rix is the country’s central system for payments among banks, clearing institutions and other agents. It enables the transactions of one bank’s customers to reach the customers of another bank. In both these areas, we are currently in a period of major transition.

But first, a brief look back in time. The Riksbank has existed since 1668, and we are celebrating our 350th anniversary this year, starting in Luleå this week. We have issued cash throughout this period of time. When commercial banks emerged in the mid-nineteenth century, they were initially allowed to issue private banknotes, but after a long political debate, the roles were refined.

The Riksbank, like many other central banks, was given the monopoly on the issuing of banknotes in 1904, and banks were allocated the responsibility for commercial lending.

One reason was that private banks earned large amounts of money from issuing banknotes, which caused a certain amount of irritation. Another was the need for a more stable procedure for managing financial crises. Technological developments later led to the Riksbank issuing cash to the general public and electronic money to major financial institutions, while banks issued electronic money to the general public in the form of bank account deposits.

Nowadays, an increasing number of people pay by card, but the Riksbank’s cash has always been in the background as a standardised, reliable and generally accepted means of payment – and available to all.

Disrupted order

This order, which has prevailed for over a century, is now being disrupted. Increasingly often, shops and public institutions display “no cash” signs, and fewer and fewer banks offer cash services. In 2007, the value of cash in circulation in society was Skr112 billion (€13.5 billion). Today, just over Skr50 billion remains – less than half – and is a unique development seen in an international perspective.

Under the Sveriges Riksbank Act, Swedish kronor, in the form of banknotes and coins issued by the central bank, are legal tender. The national legislature, the Riksdag, has thereby given cash a unique position as a means of payment. Today, however, retailers and banks can bargain away this unique position. In other words, there is no obligation for retailers to accept cash payments or for banks to concern themselves with cash.

There are several reasons for the decline in cash use. It is relatively complicated to handle, and innovative electronic payment methods have become more accessible. There is, therefore, no reason to believe that banknotes and coins will continue to exist for time eternal.

If nothing is done, Sweden is moving towards a situation in which all means of payment to which the general public has access are issued and controlled by commercial agents, at the same time as new, so-called electronic currencies of varying types are emerging

But the fact is that if nothing is done, Sweden is moving towards a situation in which all means of payment to which the general public has access are issued and controlled by commercial agents, at the same time as new, so-called electronic currencies of varying types are emerging. 

Problematic future

For me, this vision of the future is problematic. The payment system is often said to have an element of public good, which implies that the public sector has an important role – in this case, in ensuring that payments can be made safely and efficiently at all times. Other examples of public good are the armed forces, the judicial system and official statistics. Most citizens would feel uncomfortable with handing over these public services to private companies entirely.

There are those who think we have nothing to fear in a world where public means of payment have been replaced completely by private alternatives. They are wrong, in my opinion. In times of crisis, the general public has always sought refuge in risk-free assets, such as cash, that are guaranteed by the state. The idea of commercial agents shouldering the responsibility to satisfy public demand for safe payments at all times is unlikely.

For it to be possible to keep on paying safely and efficiently with Swedish kronor in the future, the payment system needs to be strengthened in two areas.

First, the Riksbank’s range of payment services needs to be modernised. The Rix system already works well, but it needs to be adapted to a future of increasingly rapid payment flows at any time of the day or night. Currently, Rix closes at 5pm, but in the near future we need to improve the business hours and the services offered by the Riksbank to banks and other Rix members. With longer business hours, fewer companies will, for example, have to wait until the following day for their payments. When the technology is available, I personally think it reasonable to be able to carry out both large and small payments using Riksbank kronor in real time 24/7, all year round.

Second, greater legal protection of Swedish kronor issued by the Riksbank is needed. The gap between the Riksbank Act and other legislation, created by rapid technological development, is quickly becoming increasingly problematic. In the near term, this gap can to some extent be plugged by a legal requirement for banks to handle cash. But the issue has wider implications. If the means of payment issued by the Riksbank, Swedish kronor, is not generally accepted, it will be difficult for the Riksbank to perform its task of promoting a safe and efficient payment system.

The issue of legal tender must also be seen against the backdrop of the needs of the country’s total defence. It appears self-evident that Sweden’s preparedness will be weakened if, in a serious crisis or war, we have not decided in advance how households and companies will pay for fuel, provisions and other necessities.

Technologically neutral

A parliamentary commission on a new Riksbank Act is currently under way. The central bank hopes that the commission will put forward proposals that provide long-term protection for the utility of Swedish kronor issued by the Riksbank. The central bank is currently investigating the need for giving the general public access to electronic money in the form of an e-krona. New legislation, strengthening the protection for Swedish kronor, should therefore be technologically neutral to allow for a future totally dominated by electronic money.

Otherwise, Sweden risks finding itself in the future in a situation where public governance of the payment system is no longer possible.

In 350 years, we have moved from copper coins towards e-money. When technological developments happen quickly, we need to reconsider the fundamental questions of how we define money, and ensure that everyone in Sweden has access to safe and efficient payments.

This article was originally published in Swedish in the newspaper Dagens Nyheter on February 27. It is used with the full permission of Sveriges Riksbank