Customer service office redeems markka-denominated banknotes and coins
The Bank of Finland's customer service office redeems all markka-denominated banknotes, coins and commemorative coins. The customer service office will redeem all markka-denominated banknotes printed after 1945, coins that were minted for the last markka-denominated series, and commemorative coins minted after 1985, until 29 February 2012. The Bank of Finland's customer service office is located on Rauhankatu 19 in Helsinki. It is open to the general public on weekdays between 10.00 am and 3.00 pm.
The banknotes and coins are redeemed at their nominal value (1 euro = 5.94573 markka). Small sums are exchanged while waiting, but large amounts of coins and banknotes are sent elsewhere for counting. The sum will be paid to the customer's bank account. In both cases redemption is free of charge.
Returning of markka-denominated banknotes and coins by post
Markka-denominated banknotes and coins can also be returned to the Bank of Finland by post to the following address:
SUOMEN PANKKI
Customer Services
PL 160
00101 HELSINKI
FINLAND
All mailing costs are to be borne by the sender. The delivery should be accompanied with a note containing the sender's name, address, telephone number, account number in IBAN form, together with the bank's BIC code. The amount of money being sent should also be stated.
When sending money to a euro area bank, mailing costs for the customer are EUR 0.14. If money is sent to a bank located outside the euro area, the costs are EUR 24.20. The costs may be higher if the recipient is insufficiently identified. In addition, the Bank of Finland charges a fee of EUR 12 for refunds in excess of EUR 50. A foreign non-euro area recipient bank may charge its own handling fees.
The customer service office does not provide traditional banking services
The customer service office does not provide any traditional banking services, ie it does not sell euro or markka-denominated banknotes or coins. Nor does it sell collectable items, such as Finnish 1 or 2 cent coins. Furthermore, the customer service office does not provide foreign exchange services or accept euro deposits.
In Finland, all euro coins, collectable items and commemorative coins are minted by Mint of Finland Ltd, which is a public limited company owned by the Ministry of Finance. Coins minted by Mint of Finland, eg commemorative coins and euro coin series, can be purchased at its web store.
Information on distributors abroad of commemorative coins and euro coin series is available on the Mint of Finland’s web pages.
Many stores, cafés and flea markets frequented by visitors sell Finnish 1 and 2 cent coins, and they can also be bought from online services.