President Donald Trump announced on February 9 that the U.S. would cease minting pennies due to high production costs exceeding their face value, with the last pennies minted in August 2024. This decision has led to widespread changes in retail and banking practices across the country, including in Wisconsin and Florida, where businesses and financial institutions are adapting to the penny shortage. Many retailers, such as McDonald's and Kroger, are no longer providing exact change, rounding transactions to the nearest nickel, either up or down, to manage the lack of pennies. Florida cities like Fort Walton Beach have implemented policies where cash payments are rounded to the nearest five cents, with differences credited or debited on future bills. The Treasury Department estimates the government will save approximately $56 million annually by ending penny production, as pennies cost about four cents to produce. The decision has caused a ripple effect, with businesses and consumers experiencing inconvenience and uncertainty about future policies. Industry leaders and lawmakers are calling for federal guidance or legislation, such as the pending Common Cents Act, to standardize rounding practices nationwide. Similar measures have been taken in Canada, which stopped minting its penny in 2012, transitioning to rounding cash transactions. The U.S. Mint’s production of pennies was over 3.2 billion in 2024, but due to their infrequent recirculation and storage in jars, pennies have become scarce in everyday transactions. This shift towards cash rounding and digital payments reflects a broader trend of reducing reliance on low-value coins, with some experts criticizing the lack of federal regulation and warning of potential legal issues for businesses.