The U.S. government encourages businesses that make cash-handling equipment, or Banknote Equipment Manufacturers (BEM), to begin taking steps to ensure machines will accept the new design when it begins circulating. BEMs include companies that produce bill acceptors, develop firmware and build systems, such as bill payment kiosks and self-checkout systems.
To prepare for system updates, the U.S. government provides approved BEMs with test versions of new notes at least six to eight months before the note is issued to the public. If you would like to receive test notes, but your company is not currently an approved BEM, please review the application procedures. For more information about this program, contact Mr. Anthony Hoyer at the Bureau of Engraving and Printing by email or phone at 1-202-874-2268.
For our approved BEMs, we encourage you to keep your customers apprised of the expected dates for machine updates for the new $100 note.
In addition to new notes, counterfeit notes and genuine notes of varying degrees of fitness are available for testing purposes through the Federal Reserve Bank of Richmond's Currency Technology Office (CTO). Before a vendor can have access to these notes they must:
1. Be on the BEP's approved vendor list.
2. Sign a non-disclosure agreement with the CTO.
3. Schedule an appointment with the CTO.
4. For more information about this program, email the CTO at Rich.CTO.Engineering@rich.frb.org
For more information about this program, contact Mr. Anthony Hoyer at the Bureau of Engraving and Printing by email or phone at 1-202-874-2268.
Tips of the Trade
- Q: On the new $100 note, where are the face plate number and check letter quadrant number located? Jason V., Security Supervisor, Seminole Hard Rock Casino, Tampa, FL
A: The new $100 note includes numbers and letters which provide information about the printing plate used to manufacture each note. The image below details these locations.
- Q: I am interested in posters that show and describe the details of currency. Can you send me any information? Salina D., Student Store Manager, Bakersfield, CA
A: There are numerous education materials available to download highlighting the security and design features of U.S. currency. For example, the multinote poster features the redesigned $100 note and provides information on other redesigned U.S. currency. Be sure to check out the complete collection of training materials by denomination where you can create your own "library" of currency training resources.
- Q: We have our fair share of bad bills coming through, so I am interested in training our employees about currency. We are in NYC and have about 150 employees. Kenneth C., Director of Human Services, New York, NY
A: The U.S. government encourages businesses that handle cash to train their employees about the security and design features in the redesigned $100 note before it begins circulating. We want people to know its features so they can know it's real.
You can visit our website for a complete collection of training materials by denomination, which are designed to educate cash handlers about the security and design features in U.S. currency. Print and digital resources are available and can be used for either individual or group trainings.
- Q: Is there a program that reimburses the retail business for the forged money they received? If so, how would we go taking the proper steps to receive reimbursement? Wissam M., Walgreens Corp., Cleveland, OH
A: If a business ends up with a counterfeit note, it will lose that money. A counterfeit note cannot be exchanged for a genuine one, and it is illegal to knowingly pass counterfeit currency. Therefore, there is an incentive for businesses that handle cash to train their employees about the security and design features in genuine U.S. currency.