A swipe with the card, a short beep and the bill is closed. Fast, easy, contactless. Debit cards and smartphones have become the most popular means of payment in this country. According to surveys, only 35 percent of Swiss people prefer money – these are mostly low-income people. Even in shops for everyday needs, the acceptance of coins and banknotes is gradually decreasing.
People on the street especially feel this. They are among the silent victims of an increasingly cash-carrying society. Some have neither a bank account nor a cell phone, they don’t know how to make quick transfers from Twint, only Münz can ease their pain a bit.
Walter von Arburg, social services chaplain Sieber, says: “Many of our clients report that passersby apologize for not having cash with them.”
The corona pandemic has accelerated the trend towards a cashless society. The numbers show how fast this is: Mobile payment service Twint gained 700,000 users in just one year. According to his own statements, he currently has about four million “active” accounts.
Beggars run away
“With far-reaching consequences,” adds Walter von Arburg. “Beggars turn to illegal activities such as prostitution, buying stolen goods and theft to earn money. Or they approach tourists who still have cash with them.”
The Salvation Army also realized that the Swiss people had hardly any cash with them and reacted: Spokesperson Holger Steffe says: “In the classic pottery collection, which was our street fundraiser at Christmas, we also notice trends towards cashless payments and have encouraged them to donate through Twint for several years. offers.”
While those on the street receive almost no alms, the donation pots of local charities are filled to the brim. In major crises, the Swiss population shows a special solidarity.
Just weeks after the start of the Ukraine war, charities raised 285 million Swiss francs, almost as much as tsunami donations in the entire 2005. a single event
Red Cross registration
A total of two billion francs were donated to charities in Switzerland in 2021. 70 percent of these came from private households. According to information from Switzerland’s largest charities, this is a record that is likely to be surpassed again this year. For example, with the Red Cross, the oldest and largest charity in Switzerland. Final figures for the current year are not yet available. But last year’s record of CHF 44 million could easily be broken, according to spokesperson Sabrina Hinder. In particular, the volume of online donations is constantly increasing. Hinder: “Since the coronavirus pandemic, trust in digital payment tools has increased and many people have become more familiar with them. This also affects donations.”
The Swiss Solidarity Association has also observed an extraordinarily high level of solidarity this year, as its spokesperson, Fabian Emmenegger, said: “The Ukrainian collection was the second largest in the history of Swiss Solidarity.” Heavy media coverage of the issue was central: “The more awareness and education work required on a complex issue, the harder it is to raise funds,” says Emmenegger.
Helvetaş should also achieve record results: At the end of November, the charity received a total donation of 43.5 million Swiss francs. More than ever since its founding in 1955. And Caritas Switzerland says pre-Christmas donations are well above CHF 28 million the previous year.
It is not natural for these records to overlap. Increasing living costs in this country are pushing the household budget. The increase in prices has not yet affected donations. And charities are confident for 2023. Aunt.