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Despite complaints from some Jamaicans that the new polymer banknotes are flimsy and prone to damage, the Bank of Jamaica (BoJ) is standing by the currency, declaring that the notes are performing as expected, and already outlasting their cotton-based predecessors.

The BoJ, responding to queries from THE STAR, said that the polymer notes have only been in use for around 25 months.

"This time period is too short to provide reliable data for the accurate assessment of the average circulation life (ACL) of the notes," the bank stated.

"However, preliminarily, given that the average lifespan of our cotton-based notes is less than 25 months, the new polymer banknotes are already demonstrating a longer lifespan," it added.

In fact, the BoJ expects the polymer notes to last at least 50 per cent longer than the cotton ones.

Still, not everyone is impressed. Several Jamaicans have expressed frustration with the new money, saying it fades and tears too easily.

"If yuh sweat pon it, it start fade. Mi fold a $100 and by time mi smooth it out, it tear. Dem nuh mek strong," a Kingston taxi operator said.

Another disgruntled citizen added, "Dem money yah soft like tissue. The old bills coulda take a beating -- these can't even manage a breeze."

But the BoJ insists such experiences are not widespread.

"There have been fewer damaged/mutilated polymer banknotes returned to the Bank when compared to the number of damaged/mutilated cotton-based notes returned," the BoJ reported.

Since launching the polymer series, the central bank has seen a noticeable decline in the number of notes returned for being soiled or torn - problems that plagued the cotton series, which was officially removed from circulation on July 1.

The bank said the cotton-based notes often had to be pulled early due to being "folded, crushed, soiled, and/or torn."

While some users claim the polymer notes fade or rip, the BoJ said it is not aware of any unusual wear-and-tear issues. It urged the public to handle the money with care - avoiding creasing, stapling, or writing on the notes, and keeping them away from sharp objects.

The BOJ has a policy that allows commercial banks to return notes that are not fit for circulation. Currently, the bulk of the notes being returned to the central bank as being not fit for circulation under this policy "are not showing signs of normal wear and tear, but reflect damage inflicted by members of the public who have mishandled the banknotes," the BoJ said.

Given the positive indicators so far, the BoJ said it "does not plan to make any major design or material adjustments to the banknotes at this time".