TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Bank Indonesia projected that the demand for money in December would reach Rp2.8 trillion due to increasing needs for Christmas and New Year holidays, as well as to complete government’s projects.

“The demand for money is expected to be at Rp2.8 trillion, increasing by 22 percent compared to last year,” said Bank Indonesia’s representative head for North Sumatera and Aceh Difi A. Johansyah in Medan, as reported by Antara News.

Bank Indonesia has prepared newly minted bills, worth Rp349.2 billion, for Christmas and New Year. Public can get the money at nine banks providing small bill (UPK) exchange service, by using debit cards or electronic cards.

The small bill exchange by using “Card to Cash (C to C)” system would provide security and convenience for public in making transactions. Therefore, customers would not need to bring cash to the banks.

Nine banks that are equipped with Electronic Data Capture (EDC) to serve C to C include Bank Mandiri, Bank Negara Indonesia, Bank Central Asia, Bank Rakyat Indonesia, PermataDanamon, Mestika Dharma, Bank Internasional Indonesia and Bak CIMB Niaga.

In addition to C to C, Bank Indonesia also provides a mobile unit to serve the small bill exchange.

EVALISA SIREGAR