Cash management, payment patterns and the demand for money

We analyse cash management and payments behaviour using 1990-1993 panel data for Dutch households. The results largely confirm the transactions demand for money theory, including an income elasticity of substantially less than one, and they are consistent with the hypothesis of technology resulting in households' economizing on currency balances. The results indicate up to 40 per cent lower transactions balances in the future, which is affirmed by direct questioning on future expectations. The effect on total money outstanding is considerably lower, due to significant amounts of 'missing money' in hoards, which are insensitive to new developments in the payments system.