ECONOMICS - October 4th 2004
The 22 million Romanians have some 5.2 million bank cards. Still, Romanians are very much into cash payments.
By VALI BLANARU
Though at very low levels, the use of bank cards for purchases is on the rise. Visa reported a 135% increase, which is 119.5 million dollars.
"Though cash payments are still the norm, more and more Romanian clients experiment with and understand the benefits of using bank cards. This is also good for the dynamic development of Romania and contributes to greater transparency and stability."
A Romanian first is having drive-in ATMs: one was mounted in a gas station and another in a fast-food restaurant.
The drive-in ATM weighs a ton and is one and a half meter high. The screen, the keyboard and the money delivery system are placed so that only drivers seated in a vehicle can access them. The driver stops the car next to the ATM machine, puts the card into it, punches the personal data and takes the cash amount he or she needs, just as he or she will do it at regular ATMs.
Translation: ANCA PADURARU