Polymer banknotes are produced from a thin, transparent and flexible plastic film made from a versatile and complex material.
SAFER: Polymer banknotes allow for the incorporation of advanced security features, thus making the notes more difficult to counterfeit.
CLEANER: Polymer banknotes are cleaner and more hygienic than paper notes because they are resistant to dirt, moisture, water and other liquids.
STRONGER: Polymer is stronger and more durable than paper. Therefore, polymer banknotes are expected to last at least 50% longer than paper notes. This also makes the notes more environmentally friendly.
JAMAICAN BANKNOTES
Jamaica’s currency has a fresh new look!
Important Notice
We are making the necessary preparations for this change, including gradually updating all our ATMs to facilitate the new notes. While our technical teams work diligently to make the changes, we encourage you to bear the following in mind:
On June 15, only select JN Bank ATMs will be issuing the new polymer notes
Cash deposits comprising new polymer notes will not be accepted by our ATMs. These machines are being upgraded and we’ll update you as we make progress
JN Bank ATMs will continue to accept older banknotes until they are phased out by the BOJ
In the meantime, if you need to deposit new polymer notes to a JN Bank account, we encourage you to use the Drop Box at our branches, which are convenient and free of charge.
About the New Notes
This new series of banknotes is comprised of six denominations, given the introduction of the $2000 note. The upgrade of Jamaica’s banknotes is aimed at achieving the following:
- Enhancing the security features of the banknotes to combat counterfeiting
- Enhancing the tactile features for the visually impaired
- Ensuring a clear distinction among the different denominations
- Providing cost savings to Bank of Jamaica
In upgrading the banknotes, the opportunity was created to honour all our national heroes and deceased prime ministers who were not featured on the banknotes. A portrait of these persons will appear on the new banknotes and are paired contemporaneously based on their contribution to Jamaica within the categories of “Freedom Fighters, Black Empowerment and Pan-Africanism, Fathers of the Nation and Nation Builder”. Notably, the Rt. Excellent Marcus Garvey, Jamaica’s first national hero, appears as a single subject.
Why Polymer?
Polymer banknotes are produced from a thin, transparent and flexible plastic film made from a versatile and complex material.
The New Banknotes
This new series of banknotes is comprised of six denominations, given the introduction of the $2000 note.
Detecting Genuine New (Polymer) Banknotes
Run your fingers over the top right hand corner of the back of the note to feel the raised dots feature, which is for the visually impaired. Applies to all 6 Banknotes.
A clear window can be seen from both the front and the back of the note. Applies to all 6 Banknotes.
The letters BOJ appear in an area of coloured print. Applies to all 6 Banknotes.
Areas with a shimmering gold ink can be seen on the $50, $100 and $500 only.
The colours of the images in the holographic foil change. The holographic foil is on the $1000, $2000 & $5000 only.
There is a silver ink that has a highly reflective mirror-like finish on the $50, $100 and $500 only.
Check
Using an ultra-violet (UV) light:
The letters BOJ appear in an area of coloured print. Applies to all 6 Banknotes.
The denomination appears. Applies to all 6 Banknotes.
Frequently Asked Questions
New Jamaican Dollar Polymer Bank Notes
When will the new Jamaican dollar banknotes become available?
JN Bank will begin issuing the brand-new Jamaican dollar notes as of June 15, 2023.
Will the new Jamaican dollar banknotes immediately replace the old notes?
No, they will not. Both the current notes and the new notes will be in circulation together until advised by the Bank of Jamaica.
Why are these new Jamaican notes so special?
The new Jamaican dollar notes are special for many reasons:
- They are made of polymer, which is a type of plastic. Polymer is significantly more durable and will, in the long run, result in significant savings, as the Bank of Jamaica will spend less to print money. Polymer also stays clean for a much longer period
- They are much harder to counterfeit, which makes them more secure
- They have special features to assist the visually impaired with identifying each note
- They are brightly and distinctly coloured so that you can differentiate each note far more easily
And they have many other great new features. For more information about the notes, you may click here to visit our JN Bank website.
Are all JN Bank’s ATMs ready to accept and disburse the new polymer notes?
No, not all our ATMs will be ready to accept and dispense the new banknotes on June 15. Select JN Bank ATMs that only dispense cash will issue the new polymer notes. Our deposit taking ATMs which will only be able to accept the older banknotes. Our teams are working swiftly to have all our machines upgraded to accept the new polymer banknotes.
If I have new Jamaican dollar polymer notes that I want to deposit to my account, how can I deposit them?
At JN Bank, ensuring that you have convenient options to maintain your financial obligations is as important to us as ensuring that you have access to the right financial solutions.
Therefore, while we work to quickly upgrade our ATMs to accept cash deposits with the new polymer notes, you can deposit the new notes to your JN account via the Drop Box in our branches, which are convenient and free of charge.
For quick, easy, safe and convenient transactions, we encourage you, where possible, to transfer funds and make payments using JN Bank LIVE online banking, so that you can reduce your reliance on cash.
How soon will all JN Bank ATMs be able to accept the new Jamaican dollar polymer notes?
Our teams are working diligently to upgrade all our machines to accommodate the new notes, and so we will be updating you as we make progress.
Which ATMs will dispense and accept the new polymer notes?
While we upgrade all our machines, signs will be placed on or near all our ATMs to indicate which ones facilitate the new polymer notes. You can also find the location of the nearest ATM which facilitates the notes on our JN Bank website, jnbank.com.
