In general banks and financial institutions in the United States and around the world have implemented much more strict, invasive policies and capital controls. The US government has also made it very difficult for Americans living abroad or Americans that have foreign assets. As a result many international financial institutions wont work with Americans because of all the restrictions and regulations. Post 911 there have also been increases and I believe adjustments made to SAR and CTR. Suspicious activity report and currency transaction report. I think they may have lowered the threshold to file these reports. This is a much broader issue than "going cashless" it has focused on increased control, regulation, lack of privacy and increase in difficulty to move money. I don't think all of this is nefarious necessarily , I believe certain actions are being taken by banks because they are insolvent and stretched to thin. Large withdrawals put pressure on their fractional reserve lending system. Strict controls also limit bank runs which could become more common in Europe, similar situations as in Greece and Cyprus.