Poland’s Playbook for Unthinkable Times

Barbara Jaroszek, Director, Cash and Issue Department at Narodowy Bank Polski (NBP), spoke about ‘Poland’s Paybook for Unthinkable Times’ at the Future of Cash conference in Warsaw on 4 November.

Barbara started with some background about Poland. GDP is up 16% since the pandemic, with inflation now down to 4%. There are 3.3 billion banknotes in circulation for a country of 38 million people.

Talking about the future of cash, she made a number of comments:

• Progress can’t come at the expense of those who pay the most already
• Privacy is a legitimate choice in a free society. Respect those who chose privacy rather than being suspicious 
• There is a balance between innovation and fairness, technology and trust
• Continuity and change go side by side
• Think about people, not just payments.