Don’t put old $100 note for collection at New Year Masses

Parishes last weekend started informing their congregations about putting the ‘old’ $100 notes into collection baskets at year end Masses. On December 31 they will no longer be legal tender.
At the post Cabinet media briefing on December 5, Minister of National Security Stuart Young announced the demonetisation of the $100 note and introduction of polymer notes with new security features and designed to assist the blind.
The move was in response to money laundering, tax evasion, counterfeiting, and other criminal activity. The new note was officially launched Monday December 9 by Central Bank Governor Dr Alvin Hilaire. An estimated 80 million of the old $100 were in circulation.
A memo was issued December 13 from the Financial Administrator at the Chancery, Desiree Dorant to parish priests, moderators, finance officers, and Finance Committee members on “Introduction of $100 Polymer Notes by Central Bank of Trinidad & Tobago”.
It informed the Archdiocese will not be able to accommodate the old $100 due to strict guidelines from its bankers, Republic Bank Limited.
The Archdiocese is trying to adhere to the December 31 deadline for exchange of ‘old’ money for the new notes. While parishes should minimise the holding of cash, those with money to exchange should do so as soon as possible. Deposits can be done via night safe deposits or walk-in deposits to the bank by the last working day of the year, December 31. Old $100 notes which are received at year end Masses are to be deposited no later than January 1, 2020 via the night safe deposit.
Walk-in deposits of the old notes will not be accepted after December 31, 2019. All exchanges of ‘old’ $100 bills after this date have to be taken to the Central Bank of Trinidad & Tobago (CBTT) for exchange with an explanation of the “Source of Funds”.
A ‘no cash’ policy was adopted at the Chancery offices so parishes were advised not to send cash for exchange. Parishes are not allowed to facilitate cash exchange for individuals or organisations. Only funds generated through Parish activities are to be exchanged.