Template-Type: ReDIF-Article 1.0
Author-Name: Éva Divéki
Author-Email: divekie@mnb.hu
Author-Workplace-Name: Magyar Nemzeti Bank (central bank of Hungary)
Title: Card or print? How to issue cafeteria vouchers electronically?
Abstract: Recently, there have been several government initiatives pointing to the electronisation of the voucher market, some of which have already reached the phase of implementation. In the interests of implementation at the society level which is efficient from technical as well as ‘business’ points of view, the most important principle related to the domestic voucher infrastructure is that it should operate electronically. Vouchers need to be accepted in the already operating bank card infrastructure (and/or with its expansion) in such a manner that the system should allow the participation of private service providers (issuers, acquirers) which compete against one another. The motive of writing this article was that the voucher market underwent a significant modification this year, due to changes in the relevant tax allowances. The modification process points in the direction of electronisation, but considerable advantages could be achieved by further electronisation in the case of the still paper-based, state-supported voucher market segment as well.
Classification-JEL: G18, G21, H53
Keywords: vouchers, cafeteria vouchers, voucher cards, pre-paid cards, SZÉP Card (Széchenyi Recreation Card), government policy and regulation
Journal: MNB Bulletin
Pages: 7-13
Volume: 7
Issue: 2
Year: 2012
Month: June
File-URL: http://www.mnb.hu/letoltes/diveki.pdf
File-Format: Application/pdf
Handle: RePEc:mnb:bullet:v:7:y:2012:i:1:p:7-13