In some aspects, the development has probably been slightly more rapid in the banking sectors of some of the transition countries. Payment transactions via internet are old news everywhere by now. E-money has been envisaged in the role of a modern, convenient and rapid replacement of the traditional cash. Others, again, foresee a rapid adoption of e-money in various spheres where using the traditional means of payment is either inconvenient, insufficiently safe or infeasible. One of the main reasons for the negative attitude can be found in the limited interoperability of the various technologies used by different providers of e-money related services.
Interoperability is the key success factor of all e-money schemes.
The card issued by one institution must be operable in the system of another issuer. The present marginal role of e-money based payment facilities has, in its turn, offered an excuse to delay the adoption of the necessary government regulations. Could an early and successful adoption of the e-money have a positive impact on the societies of the transition countries as a whole.