One of the key trends retained from the pandemic is the digitalisation of the payment journey and the dwindling of cash usage.
Recent research by RBR predicted that Global ATM engagement will continue to decrease, with it outlining that by 2027 there will be a 5% fall in ATM volume from 2019.
The decrease comes amid the accelerated elevation of cashless payments, which was heightened by the pandemic, as firms and consumers adapted the way they embarked on transactions.
Nonetheless, RBR’s research found that independent ATM deployers (IADs) were the key factor behind the boost to both the US and Indian ATM markets. US IADs re-opened ATMs shuttered by the pandemic and entered into new partnerships to operate terminals for banks.
In India, these deployers extended their networks into more rural areas, reaching new customers. Globally, the number of IAD-deployed ATMs increased by 5%.
At a regional level, only the Middle East,Africa and Latin America will see ATM numbers rise after 2022, driven primarily by Egypt and Mexico respectively. Deployers in both countries aim to expand their physical banking channels and strengthen nationwide access to cash.
Rowan Berridge, who led RBR’s ATM research, commented on the findings and what the state of play is for ATMs within the global payment infrastructure: “The first year of the pandemic was a hugely uncertain time for ATM deployers, with expansion strategies paused and some ATMs withdrawn temporarily. While the market didn’t bounce back everywhere in 2021, there was more appetite for new installations.” He added: “These contrasts will remain prominent going forward – while some countries will see ATM numbers cut in favour of digital payments and banking, others are still building up self-service channels and access to cash.”
