In a amazing turn of events, which would seem unthinkable a fewer years ago, the European banking sector is starting to urge that its customers store cash outside the banking system. This is simply a unique change in the approach of financial institutions that have promoted non-cash transactions for decades. Today, in the face of the increasing threat of cyber attacks, banks are beginning to pay attention to the request to safe their resources in conventional form – cash.
Bank recommendations – Back to Cash
Dutch bank experts urge that each household has a cash reserve of 200 to 500 euro. In Polish conditions, an amount of about 1000 PLN as optimal to cover basic life needs for about a week in an emergency. This amount is to be adequate for the acquisition of essential food products, medicines and another basic commodities in case of paralysis of banking infrastructure.
This change is not accidental. Banks foretell an increase in the number and scale of cyber attacks in 2025. These attacks, frequently sponsored by state intelligence agencies, are becoming increasingly sophisticated, making even the most advanced safety systems may not be sufficient.
Cyber threats in the banking sector
Expert reports indicate threefold increase cyber attacks on financial institutions in the first 4th of 2025 compared to the same period in the erstwhile year. This phenomenon is becoming increasingly worrying, especially given the expanding complexity of attacks, which can frequently circumvent multi-layer safety systems.
Special threat is kind attacks DDoS (Distributed Denial of Service)which in 2022 managed to paralyze banking systems in Estonia for almost 2 days. akin incidents have besides occurred in the Baltic States, Scandinavia and Western Europe, indicating a serious problem in global banking.
Bank reactions to threats
The bank's advice for cash retention was met with mixed reactions. any experts consider them to be liable for hazard management, but others fear that specified a advice could make panic and lead to massive withdrawals from banks, which could paradoxically make problems with the financial liquidity of the banking sector. The banks stress that the intention is not to call for all savings in cash, but to supply a tiny reserve for the time of crisis.
How large should the Cash Reserve be?
Recommended amount 1000 PLN is simply a minimum that can be adjusted depending on the situation. Depending on the number of household members, standard of surviving or location (e.g. in cities where the cost of surviving is higher), this sum may be higher. In addition, experts propose that the cash reserve mainly includes medium denomination banknoteswhich is easier to usage in regular transactions.
The Future of Digital safety – Banks Implementing fresh Conservation Measures
In addition to recommendations on cash, banks besides propose a number of digital safety measures. These include regular updating of passwords, usage of passwords two-component authentication and increased alertness to trials phishing. In addition, any institutions make emergency channels of communication with customers that could be utilized in case of paralysis of information systems.
Poland Banking and Cyber Threats
The Polish banking sector, which is considered to be 1 of the most innovative in Europe, is besides beginning to recognise the request for increased safety of its systems. Although authoritative communications in Poland are more cautious than in Western Europe, experts point to the increasing hazard of cyber attacks.
The advice of European banks to store cash is not a return to the past but a pragmatic approach to hazard management in uncertain times. Cash, although inactive considered little modern in the form of asset storage, may in any cases be essential in the event of a crisis. Although the banking planet focuses on technology development, conventional methods of securing its resources, which may prove irreplaceable in the face of cyber threats, should not be forgotten.
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The banks issued an alert. Pay any cash
