The European Central Bank said it was considering eliminating the 500-euro note, describing the bill commonly used by savers as an instrument also favored by criminals. The amount of cash in the eurozone rose to more than 1 trillion euros ($1.1 trillion) last year, with almost 30 percent of it in 500-euro bills, reflecting anxiety about the solvency of most banks as well as exasperation with low returns on savings. European finance ministers last week urged that access to 500-euro bills be tightened as part of a move to cut funding of militant activity.