CUSTOMER INTERFACE: ATMs
The ATM pool table Shared provision and even outsourcing of ATMs is a growing global trend, but it’s not happening everywhere in the same way or at the same pace. Senior research analyst Laura Raus gives us a snapshot from carrying the branding of a different bank. A single ATM could meet customer RBR’s latest Global demand, but multiple machines remain ATM Market and in place because each bank fears Forecasts report inconvenience for its customers and a loss As customers turn to digital payments, and demand for cash wanes, banks in an increasing number of countries are looking to pool their ATM resources, to keep cash accessible to their customers at an acceptable cost. In many countries, one often sees several ATMs in close proximity, each
34
TheFintechMagazine | Issue 21
of visibility and competitiveness if they remove machines. Nevertheless, excess ATMs are an increasing burden for banks. While it is already fairly common for banks to have agreements for the mutual use of ATMs, and to remove ATM fees for each other’s customers, full ATM pooling – whereby banks relinquish ownership of their machines to a single deployer, which operates a shared fleet – remains rare.
POOLING GETS UNDERWAY IN BENELUX Comprehensive ATM pooling arrangements have existed in Finland and Sweden for a number of years and, more recently, pooling has gained a foothold in Belgium and the Netherlands, too. Since 2019, the three largest banks in the Netherlands have been transferring their ATMs to a joint organisation, called Geldmaat. This has facilitated the removal of many ATMs from locations where the machines of different banks were in close proximity. The migration is due to be completed in 2021, after which all bank ATMs in the country will be managed by Geldmaat. Geldmaat ATMs do not carry the branding of individual banks and are located away from bank branches. www.fintechf.com
