Vatican - Cash Only

Beginning the first day of 2013, the Vatican will be cash only. This will come to a surpass for the millions of tourists that line up at the gates with card in hand to see the treasures of old, however cash it will be.

Reported through numerous news organizations, this cash only policy is the result of the Vatican being unable to detect and discourage money laundering through its state run banks. Until this year the Vatican has authorized Deutsche Bank Italia to handle its card transactions, however the Italian central bank, through the Bank of Italy has stated that the Vatican does not respect international anti money laundering norms and an Italian-registered bank can therefore not operate on its territory.