Since 10-10-10, De Nederlandsche Bank (DNB) is responsible for the efficiency of the payment system in the Dutch Caribbean. From this responsibility, DNB Bonaire established a workgroup Payment system for Dutch Caribbean. The purpose of this group is, in particular, in consultation with all market participants to achieve a more efficient payment system.
During the consultation, along with the banks, the following parties were involved: representatives from the business industry and retail, representatives of local and national government, utility companies, chambers of commerce and the police.
Agreements
The agreements reached in the Working Group are designed to encourage the public to choose the most efficient method of payment. Often it will be electronic. Having a checking account is therefore encouraged. The banks already offer accounts from $ 2 per month. On the other hand, the rates of less efficient payment methods such as cash and checks will be put more into line with the actual costs.
· To transfer money or to withdraw money at the counter, the banks may charge a rate.
· Cheques will only be available from October 1st for businesses and each will cost $ 2.50.
· Coins will be supplied in standard packaging
Round off
To make payments easier and less costly for both retailers and banks, the shops can make use of the option of rounding off the prices at the checkout to 5 cents. All prices in the shop remain in cents. Only the amount that is paid in cash at the checkout is rounded off. The rounding off rule is such that the average cost for the customers remains the same.
The rule is: 0 remains 0, 1 and 2 become 0, 3 and 4 become 5, 5 remains 5, 6 and 7 become 5, 8 and 9 become 0.
Stores that are rounding off should indicate that at the entrance of the shop, so that the public is informed. Shops are not obliged to round off.
Folder
At all banks a brochure will be available for the public with a more detailed explanation.