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Alejandro Zamora-Pérez
Banknotes
- Division
Currency Management
- Current Position
-
Banknote Issuance Specialist
- Fields of interest
-
Macroeconomics and Monetary Economics,Financial Economics,Other Special Topics
- Other current responsibilities
- 2020-
Chairman, Eurosystem Research Network on Cash (EURECA)
- Education
- 2018-2019
MSc in Economics, Universidad Carlos III de Madrid (UC3M), Madrid, Spain
- 2007-2013
BA in Economics, Finance and Management, ICADE Comillas, Madrid, Spain
- 2012-2012
MSc in Economics and Econometrics (Semester Stay), Stockholm School of Economics, Stockholm, Sweden
- 2007-2012
LLB in Law, ICADE Comillas, Madrid, Spain
- Professional experience
- 2022-
Specialist - Currency Management Division, European Central Bank
- 2019-2022
Expert - Currency Management Division, European Central Bank
- 2016-2019
Expert - Currency Division, Directorate General Financial Conduct and Banknotes, Banco de España
- 2014-2015
Analyst - BBVA Corporate & Investment Banking
- 26 February 2025
- OCCASIONAL PAPER SERIES - No. 368Details
- Abstract
- This paper provides an overview of recent analytical work conducted, under their own aegis, by experts from various European authorities and institutions in the field of crypto-asset monitoring. Currently, risks stemming from crypto-assets and the potential implications for central banking domains are limited and/or manageable, including as regards the existing regulatory and oversight frameworks. Nevertheless, the importance of monitoring developments in crypto-assets, raising awareness of the potential risks and fostering preparedness cannot be overstated. In light of this, this paper sets out the background to the establishment of the Crypto-Asset Monitoring Expert Group (CAMEG) in late 2023 to bring together experts from the Eurosystem’s central banks and from the European Systemic Risk Board (ESRB). It also provides abstracts of various papers and other analytical works presented at the inaugural CAMEG conference held on 24 and 25 October 2024. The conference aimed to take stock of analytical work and data issues in this area, while fostering European collaboration and monitoring in the field of crypto-assets. Finally, this paper outlines the prospective way forward for the CAMEG, focusing on gaining greater insight into data in this area and deepening analytical work on interlinkages, crypto-asset adoption and the latest trends.
- JEL Code
- E42 : Macroeconomics and Monetary Economics→Money and Interest Rates→Monetary Systems, Standards, Regimes, Government and the Monetary System, Payment Systems
G21 : Financial Economics→Financial Institutions and Services→Banks, Depository Institutions, Micro Finance Institutions, Mortgages
G23 : Financial Economics→Financial Institutions and Services→Non-bank Financial Institutions, Financial Instruments, Institutional Investors
O33 : Economic Development, Technological Change, and Growth→Technological Change, Research and Development, Intellectual Property Rights→Technological Change: Choices and Consequences, Diffusion Processes
- 18 September 2024
- RESEARCH BULLETIN - No. 122Details
- Abstract
- What factors could drive transactional demand for central bank digital currency (CBDC)? We analyse payment survey data to arrive at a framework for understanding the role of adoption frictions and design strategies in shaping CBDC demand. The results of our analysis show that, while consumers may initially prefer to use more traditional payment methods, a design tailored to their specific needs could significantly increase CBDC uptake. Raising awareness and capitalising on network effects could also boost demand for CBDC.
- JEL Code
- E41 : Macroeconomics and Monetary Economics→Money and Interest Rates→Demand for Money
G32 : Financial Economics→Corporate Finance and Governance→Financing Policy, Financial Risk and Risk Management, Capital and Ownership Structure, Value of Firms, Goodwill
- 16 April 2024
- WORKING PAPER SERIES - No. 2926Details
- Abstract
- We shed light on the demand for a central bank digital currency (CBDC) as a means of payment, based on survey payment data. We provide a quantitative framework to assess transactional demand for CBDC at the point of sale, accommodating a wide range of design choices. We develop a structural model of payment means adoption and usage and estimate CBDC demand based on individuals’ preferences for payment method attributes. We disentangle the friction potentially associated to CBDC adoption, assessing two of its potential drivers: information frictions and gradual diffusion of digital payment methods. We find that modelling adoption is key to understanding CBDC demand. Finally, we show that optimal CBDC design, information campaigns, and network effects can substantially boost demand.
- JEL Code
- E41 : Macroeconomics and Monetary Economics→Money and Interest Rates→Demand for Money
E42 : Macroeconomics and Monetary Economics→Money and Interest Rates→Monetary Systems, Standards, Regimes, Government and the Monetary System, Payment Systems
E47 : Macroeconomics and Monetary Economics→Money and Interest Rates→Forecasting and Simulation: Models and Applications
- 18 March 2024
- ECONOMIC BULLETIN - ARTICLEEconomic Bulletin Issue 2, 2024Details
- Abstract
- This article uses comprehensive ECB survey data to examine the narrative that a general shift towards digital payments is generating a sharp divide in payments behaviours, creating a binary world of digital “haves” and analogue “have-nots”. Our analysis challenges this narrative, revealing a more complex reality of payment behaviours at the point of sale. We focus on lack of ownership of the primary tools enabling digital payments in the euro area: debit or credit cards and payment accounts. In particular, we examine the group of people who lack at least one of these tools (either a debit or credit card or a payment account), assessing their cash payment patterns and their socio-demographic profiles against the rest of the population. The findings establish that cash remains a significant part of the payments ecosystem, even among people with both cards and accounts. Additionally, we show that the group of people without either cards or accounts has a diverse demographic profile. The analysis also assesses the reasons behind not having at least one of these two tools to enable digital payments. We show that perceived physical banking presence (defined as considering it easy to reach a bank branch or an ATM) is of limited importance, suggesting that personal choice or other demand-side factors may be of greater importance. We also show the relevance of payment habits through the persistence of cash habits even after the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. The results are in line with the cash and retail payments strategies of the Eurosystem, which emphasise the need for a balanced approach that accommodates both the enduring role of cash and digital innovation.
- JEL Code
- E41 : Macroeconomics and Monetary Economics→Money and Interest Rates→Demand for Money
O33 : Economic Development, Technological Change, and Growth→Technological Change, Research and Development, Intellectual Property Rights→Technological Change: Choices and Consequences, Diffusion Processes
E42 : Macroeconomics and Monetary Economics→Money and Interest Rates→Monetary Systems, Standards, Regimes, Government and the Monetary System, Payment Systems
E58 : Macroeconomics and Monetary Economics→Monetary Policy, Central Banking, and the Supply of Money and Credit→Central Banks and Their Policies
O52 : Economic Development, Technological Change, and Growth→Economywide Country Studies→Europe
- 21 June 2023
- THE INTERNATIONAL ROLE OF THE EURO - BOXThe international role of the euro 2023Details
- JEL Code
- :
- 11 October 2022
- OCCASIONAL PAPER SERIES - No. 307Details
- Abstract
- Central banks have been discussing the introduction of a retail central bank digital currency (rCBDC) for some time. However, potential obstacles to its adoption by consumers and retailers remain largely unexplored in the academic and policy literature. This paper surveys the key elements involved in the adoption of any new means of payment and discusses failed and ongoing initiatives with public digital money. It concludes that ensuring the desired level of adoption of rCBDCs may impose significant constraints on central bank design choices and policy goals. In fact, in some settings, central banks may find themselves on the horns of a dilemma in seeking to balance the needs to (i) preserve the central bank’s hierarchy of policy goals, (ii) increase the chances of adoption and use of rCBDCs by consumers and retailers, and (iii) avoid any adverse economic effects.
- JEL Code
- E42 : Macroeconomics and Monetary Economics→Money and Interest Rates→Monetary Systems, Standards, Regimes, Government and the Monetary System, Payment Systems
E58 : Macroeconomics and Monetary Economics→Monetary Policy, Central Banking, and the Supply of Money and Credit→Central Banks and Their Policies
D12 : Microeconomics→Household Behavior and Family Economics→Consumer Economics: Empirical Analysis - Network
- Eurosystem Research Network on Cash (EURECA)
- 2 August 2022
- ECONOMIC BULLETIN - ARTICLEEconomic Bulletin Issue 5, 2022Details
- Abstract
- In the digital age, innovation in retail payments is influencing payment choice and transforming the payment landscape. However, survey evidence indicates that for the largest share of transactions at the point of sale euro area citizens choose to pay in cash, and some of them have no other payment option. It is a responsibility of central banks to ensure adequate access to cash to guarantee consumers’ freedom to choose their method of payment and to prevent financial exclusion. This article describes the situation as regards access to cash in the euro area and the ongoing work by the Eurosystem to ensure that access to cash remains adequate.
- JEL Code
- E58 : Macroeconomics and Monetary Economics→Monetary Policy, Central Banking, and the Supply of Money and Credit→Central Banks and Their Policies
E41 : Macroeconomics and Monetary Economics→Money and Interest Rates→Demand for Money
R12 : Urban, Rural, Regional, Real Estate, and Transportation Economics→General Regional Economics→Size and Spatial Distributions of Regional Economic Activity
G21 : Financial Economics→Financial Institutions and Services→Banks, Depository Institutions, Micro Finance Institutions, Mortgages - Network
- Eurosystem Research Network on Cash (EURECA)
- 29 July 2021
- OCCASIONAL PAPER SERIES - No. 259Details
- Abstract
- In the light of fears that the SARS-CoV-2 virus might be transmitted via cash – fears that were stoked by statements in the media and from public authorities – this paper aims to address the following issues: (1) to provide a descriptive account of the change in the circulation of euro banknotes and the use of cash in transactions during the pandemic; and (2) to assess the survivability of the virus on cash and the potential transmission risks. The pandemic has caused a significant increase in demand for cash as a store of value but a decrease in the use of cash in transactions. Although citizens reported using cash less in transactions partly out of fear of infection, research confirms that the risk of the virus being transmitted by banknotes and coins is very low. This supports the findings from the scientific community concluding that SARS-CoV-2 mainly spreads via respiratory fluids and airborne transmission, and that surfaces play a very minor role.
- JEL Code
- I10 : Health, Education, and Welfare→Health→General
I12 : Health, Education, and Welfare→Health→Health Production
E41 : Macroeconomics and Monetary Economics→Money and Interest Rates→Demand for Money
E58 : Macroeconomics and Monetary Economics→Monetary Policy, Central Banking, and the Supply of Money and Credit→Central Banks and Their Policies - Network
- Eurosystem Research Network on Cash (EURECA)
- 2 June 2021
- THE INTERNATIONAL ROLE OF THE EURO - BOXThe international role of the euro 2021
- 22 March 2021
- ECONOMIC BULLETIN - ARTICLEEconomic Bulletin Issue 2, 2021Details
- Abstract
- What explains the strong growth of euro banknote demand, given that the transactional use of banknotes seems to have decreased? Key to explaining this phenomenon – referred to as the “paradox of banknotes” – is acknowledgement of the importance of all three components of banknote demand: euro area transactional demand, euro area store-of-value demand and foreign demand. This article explains these components and estimates their relative size. It also addresses COVID-19-related banknote developments during 2020, highlighting the importance of cash during crises.
- JEL Code
- E41 : Macroeconomics and Monetary Economics→Money and Interest Rates→Demand for Money
E51 : Macroeconomics and Monetary Economics→Monetary Policy, Central Banking, and the Supply of Money and Credit→Money Supply, Credit, Money Multipliers
E58 : Macroeconomics and Monetary Economics→Monetary Policy, Central Banking, and the Supply of Money and Credit→Central Banks and Their Policies - Network
- Eurosystem Research Network on Cash (EURECA)
- 13 January 2021
- OCCASIONAL PAPER SERIES - No. 253Details
- Abstract
- In order to understand why there is a continuous increase in euro banknote circulation even though the use of cash for transactions is decreasing in the euro area – a phenomenon known as the paradox of banknotes – the members of the Overseas workstream of the Eurosystem Research Network on Cash (EURECA) have conducted a study on the foreign demand for euro banknotes. The results of this study are based on desk research using data collected in the Eurosystem and from other organisations, and using both proven and innovative techniques.
- JEL Code
- E41 : Macroeconomics and Monetary Economics→Money and Interest Rates→Demand for Money
E47 : Macroeconomics and Monetary Economics→Money and Interest Rates→Forecasting and Simulation: Models and Applications
E49 : Macroeconomics and Monetary Economics→Money and Interest Rates→Other
E59 : Macroeconomics and Monetary Economics→Monetary Policy, Central Banking, and the Supply of Money and Credit→Other
F24 : International Economics→International Factor Movements and International Business→Remittances - Network
- Eurosystem Research Network on Cash (EURECA)