The euro was introduced at the start of this year for non-cash transactions only (such as electronic-funds transfers, and payments by cheque or credit card).

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The cheque guarantee, denoted by a Shakespeare hologram on a card, meant a cheque was honoured by a bank, even if sufficient funds were not in an account.

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Businesses in Cyprus have been insisting on payment in cash, rejecting card and cheque transactions.

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Unlike a credit or debit card, cheque, anything like that, cash was anonymous.

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With no end in sight to the crisis, businesses in Cyprus have been insisting on payment in cash, rejecting card and cheque transactions.

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Image Data insists that the database, which would allow retailers or police across the country instantly to match a name and photograph, is primarily designed to fight cheque and credit-card fraud.

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In contrast, the fingerprint-recognition system being used in some American shops, called Pay By Touch, appears to be more convenient but less secure, since shoppers are no longer required to present a bank card or cheque to buy things.

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MPs should get a leaving card, not a cheque for tens of thousands of pounds.

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Before 1973, a voting card was essential for everyday business, from cashing a cheque to getting married.

ECONOMIST: Chile