Alternative Monies and the Demand for Media of Exchange

A new value transfer system using alternative monies is emerging as a result of innovations such as prepaid cards, smart cards and the so-called electronic purse. This paper begins with a review of the changes in the value transfer system that are occurring in the economy. It then proceeds to analyze consumer reaction to this trend. It investigates the effect of variations in the number and type of monies on consumer transactions demand. We investigate the behavior of a representative agent faced with a choice of money with which to transact and ask how variations in their characteristics will affect the consumer's choice of transactions vehicle, transaction frequency and average balances in various media. Interestingly, the results are not transparent. Copyright 1996 by Ohio State University Press.