By Saturday, 3 January, 89% of customers were getting their change in euro. No major problems were observed in banks or in the retail sector, the European Commission said in a statement.
The conversion of ATMs (cash dispensers) went smoothly and virtually all ATMs have been distributing euro banknotes as from the first hour of 1 January. Furthermore, some 40 commercial bank branches and the cash offices of the Lithuanian Central Bank, Bank of Lithuania, in Vilnius and Kaunas were open for cash services on Thursday, 1 January. Payment cards and point of sale terminals for card payments were likewise successfully converted to euro in time for the opening of shops on Friday, 2 January. 161 bank branches and 188 post offices were open for cash services on Saturday, 3 January.
Commercial banks had received euro banknotes and coins in advance from the Bank of Lithuania and had in turn supplied euro cash to shops and other businesses, so that they can handle payments and return change in euro as from the first changeover day. The successful advance supply of cash enabled a very high number of retailers to provide change in euro only. On the third day of the changeover, 89% of customers were getting their change in euro. This is important in order to withdraw the old Lithuanian litas from circulation as quickly as possible.
Thanks to careful preparations, the start of the changeover has been successful. No major problems have been encountered so far and banks and retailers were generally doing well in the first days of the changeover.
The latest Eurobarometer survey shows that Lithuania's transition to the euro has been proceeding successfully and smoothly. No major violations were recorded in banks and retail trade networks, while cash payments in litas have reduced in the first days of January.
The Eurobarometer survey carried out on 29-30 December revealed that 44% of respondents already had euro banknotes before the adoption of the euro, while 46% had euro coins. Survey carried out on 2-3 January showed that on 2 January 84% of the polled paid only in cash litas, whereas on 3 January just 54% paid only in cash litas. On 3 January 84% of the polled said they received the change only in euros. 36% of respondents paid only in euros on 2-3 January.
Two days after the euro adoption, 25% of the polled said they only had euros or more euros than litas in their wallets.
