Franc, deutschemark and lira currency holders in Shanghai can exchange their coins and notes into euros at most city banks starting today, when the single currency is put into general circulation in 12 European countries.
Banks will also exchange Austrian schillings, franc belge, Finnish markkas, guilders, escudos, pesetas, Irish pounds, drachmas and franc luxembourgeois.
From today through the end of February, holders of those 12 currencies will receive free exchange services at most local banks, with a new service charge for exchanging currencies going into effect on March 1.
Anyone owning a bank account denominated in those 12 foreign currencies won't have to worry about transferring their accounts into euros, as banks have done it automatically based on exchange rates fixed at the end of business yesterday.
"Our bank will stop selling the old currencies of the 12 euro countries and clients will not be allowed to withdraw the old currencies from their accounts after January 1," said He Guangbei, deputy president of the Bank of China.
The first batch of more than 25 million euros was shipped to Shanghai early last month ahead of the single currency's general circulation.
In case of huge demand of euros in the city in the coming weeks, local bank officials said they will buy more euro coins and notes to meet the public's needs.
Any holders of those 12 foreign currencies planning to exchange more than US$10,000 worth of currency into euros should register at local banks beforehand in order to meet stipulations by the State Administration of Foreign Exchange.
The euro comes into general circulation in the "eurozone" - including Austria, Belgium, Germany, France, Finland, Italy, Holland, Portugal, Spain, Ireland, Greece and Luxembourg - today, replacing the old currencies used there. From now on, store prices, bills and wages will all be expressed only in euros in those countries.
(eastday.com December 31, 2001)
