As Ready Credit’s CEO puts it, “The news is that pennies are going away — and retailers need a solution that also lowers their cost of operation.”
It’s true. The U.S. will discontinue penny production in 2026, and major armored carriers like Brink’s have already stopped collecting or crediting coins.
Companies that still rely on cash handling across industries such as hospitals, stadiums, hotels, universities, and retail will face rising costs, reconciliation challenges, and increasing compliance pressures.
This shift goes far beyond the disappearance of small change. It signals the need to modernize payment systems and eliminate the operational friction created by cash before it begins to affect overall profitability.
The Rising Operational Cost of Handling Cash
Labor, reconciliation, deposit, and logistics associated with cash can represent more than 5% of total cash intake for many businesses (Brink’s data).
When multiplied across thousands of daily transactions, the cost of managing physical currency becomes a direct hit to profit margins.
Additional pressures include:
- Carriers are phasing out coin collection altogether
- Cash reconciliation errors increase audit exposure
- Physical currency poses theft and security risks
- Manual processing slows down guest, patient, and customer experience
At the same time, more than 70 percent of Americans now pay digitally and expect fast, seamless, and contact free transactions in every environment.
How Ready Credit Helps Businesses Modernize Payments Without Excluding Cash Users
Ready Credit does not remove the option to accept cash. Instead, we eliminate the burden of cash handling. Our hybrid, cash-alternative payment ecosystem helps businesses keep serving cash-preferred customers while operating cashless behind the scenes.
For nearly 20 years, Ready Credit has helped organizations reduce costs, improve efficiency, and deliver faster payment experiences with secure and fully compliant technology.
Our solutions include:
ReadySTATION® cash-to-card kiosks
These cash to card kiosks convert cash into a prepaid Mastercard®. Or to a prepaid Visa® card in real time, allowing guests to pay digitally without requiring a bank account.
ReadyCARD® prepaid cards
Guests can use ReadyCARD® prepaid cards in both physical and digital formats, fully compatible with Apple Pay, Google Pay, and Samsung Pay, offering secure and flexible spending across your venue.
ReadyPAYOUTS™ digital disbursement platform
ReadyPAYOUTS™ is an all-in-one automated payment platform that allows businesses to issue refunds, reimbursements, and payouts quickly and securely while reducing manual processing and improving delivery speed.
ReadyFLEX® mobile payment device
A handheld solution for portable, event-based, or venue-driven transactions where fixed terminals are not practical.
Together, these tools create a complete modernization pathway that reduces reconciliation time, lowers labor and security costs, and preserves payment inclusivity for every customer.
How Different Industries Are Preparing for a Cash-Reduced Future
Lodging
Hotels are preparing for the penny phase-out by reducing reliance on physical cash. Modern payment options in the lodging sector help staff spend less time reconciling currency and more time delivering a smooth guest experience.
Entertainment
High-volume venues are especially impacted by rising cash-handling costs. Digital alternatives in entertainment reduce operational friction, improve security, and keep transactions moving without dependence on coins.
Sports
Stadiums facing long lines and end-of-day reconciliation issues are shifting toward digital payments. Solutions for the sports industry help fans pay quickly while eliminating the burden of managing physical currency.
Retail
As armored carrier services scale back coin support, retailers are experiencing higher overhead tied to cash. Digital options in retail reduce shrinkage, lower processing costs, and keep stores compliant while still accommodating cash-preferred customers.
Airports and Airlines
Airports already operate under strict logistics and security requirements, making reduced cash handling a growing priority. Payment solutions for airports and airlines streamline traveler compensation and support passengers who need fast cash-to-digital options.
Healthcare
Healthcare environments are moving away from physical currency to improve accuracy and reduce administrative time. Inclusive payment systems in healthcare ensure patients can pay securely without the complications of handling coins.
Schools and Universities
Campuses are preparing for reduced coin circulation by modernizing dining, bookstore, and service payments. Digital solutions for schools and universities simplify reconciliation and ensure every student can access cashless options without exclusion.
Preparing for a Cash-Reduced Future in a Post-Penny Economy
The phase-out of U.S. penny production in 2026 signals a broader shift that will reshape how organizations manage currency behind the scenes. As armored carriers scale back coin processing and deposit crediting, the operational burden of cash will continue to rise.
Businesses that rely on physical currency will face longer reconciliation cycles, increased labor demands, and greater exposure to shortages and processing delays. This moment is not simply about the loss of a denomination but the accelerating cost of maintaining legacy cash systems.
At the same time, consumer behavior has moved firmly toward digital spending, creating an expectation of speed, transparency, and seamless service across every industry. Companies that modernize now can reduce financial friction, protect revenue, and ensure that all customers remain supported without forcing a sudden change in payment habits.
Ready Credit offers a practical path forward by removing the operational strain of handling cash while still accommodating guests who rely on it.
To begin planning a low-risk, phased rollout that strengthens your operations ahead of the 2026 transition, connect with Ready Credit and explore how modern payment tools can prepare your organization for what comes next.
Ready to take the next step?
