Could banks that decommission ATMs be closing the door on Gen Z customers? (2024)

The trend: Although the demand for cash remains steady, the number of ATMs has continued to decline worldwide, and this trend is predicted to continue through 2028.

How we got here: The pandemic marked a turning point for in-person banking services, which haven’t bounced back.

  • Consumers were originally wary of COVID-19 transmission at local branches and through the surfaces of ATMs and money. This aversion helped speed up industrywide digitization and increased consumer demand for online and mobile banking offerings.
  • Later, as banks tried to navigate “the Great Transition,” they sought to cut operational costs by reducing in-person services, including branches and ATMs.

But not everyone is happy about the reduction in in-person banking services: Multiple national governments are trying to turn this trend around to ensure their most vulnerable constituents still have access to cash.

  • In the UK, which has lost over 28% of its ATMs since 2016, legislators have proposed new regulations that aim to guarantee that no person or business will be more than three miles from withdrawal/deposit facilities.
  • Ireland also proposed a new bill that aims to ensure everyone around the country has access to cash.
  • In the meantime, rural communities in the UK increasingly depend on alternative banking services, utilizing local post offices or community bankers which operate at scheduled times within rented spaces in community buildings.

ATMs could offer a competitive advantage: Since Gen Z uses cash as a budgeting tool, these young consumers could help maintain a steady demand for ATMs. In fact, 42.4% of Gen Zers prioritize ATM proximity when choosing where to bank—the generation’s top concern.

  • That means banks that go against the grain could strengthen their relationships with Gen Z by expanding their ATM presence, allowing users to easily find the nearest in-network ATM location through mobile apps, and marketing their dedication to ATMs.
Could banks that decommission ATMs be closing the door on Gen Z customers? (2024)

FAQs

What will replace ATMs? ›

The pandemic sped that process up, and in its place brought remote banking options in the form of video teller machines (VTMs) or interactive teller machines (ITMs). These have all the features of a regular ATM, but they provide a video link to a human teller who can walk the user through any complex transactions.

What does Gen Z want from banks? ›

Gen Z wants this easy and seamless access to banking and payments services because they are active consumers of banking and payments products — five on average, according to the research. And they'd use twice as many, if offered and available. So, therein lies the rub.

Will ATMs become obsolete? ›

With the increase in digital forms of payment, you might be concerned that cash will soon become obsolete and therefore ATM machines. Although Americans are using cash less, we are still very far from getting rid of it altogether. So yes. An ATM business is still a profitable business in 2024.

Why are bank ATMs disappearing? ›

The huge adoption of digital payments - such as contactless cards or using smartphones on EFTPOS terminals - has seen a dramatic reduction in the number of customers accessing ATMs to withdraw cash.

Do ATMs have a future? ›

Increasingly ATM manufacturers are developing multi-functional ATMs that can help patrons pay bills, fund transfers, exchange currencies – even charge a mobile phone – and video conference with a live teller as needed. Such ATMs are future driven and transformational for both banks and customers.

How does Gen Z feel about banks? ›

Gen Z attitudes toward money and finances are sometimes aligned with and sometimes starkly different from those of older generations. Research suggests that Gen Z trusts traditional banks more to secure their data and needs digital services to be exceptional to retain their customers.

Why is Gen Z struggling financially? ›

Gen Zers face greater obstacles to financial success

Not only are their wages lower than their parents' earnings when they were in their 20s and 30s, but they are also carrying larger student loan balances.

How will banking on Gen Z talent make or break the future of banking? ›

Gen Z will make up 27% of the workforce by 2025. Banks need to attract this vital demographic — but that could require some radical change. From modernizing banking jobs to transforming the learning experience, there are six key ways banks can increase their appeal to potential employees.

Is cash money going to be obsolete? ›

This author says that's a false narrative. If it's been a long time since you pulled out actual dollars and coins to pay for something — here's a conversation for you. It might seem like cash is slowly becoming obsolete. But, Brett Scott says it's a false narrative that we're all pining for a cashless society.

Is cash going obsolete? ›

Although paper-based currencies are becoming less popular, they will likely stick around for the foreseeable future. Dollars and cents may become harder to use, but as with many obsolete technologies, there are enough users to ensure demand doesn't disappear completely.

Are ATMs worth owning? ›

Potential Income from Owning an ATM Machine

On average, ATM surcharge fees range from $2.50 to $3.00 per transaction. Assuming an average of 6 daily transactions, you could earn $15 to $18 daily, or $450 to $540 monthly, from a single ATM machine.

Will bank tellers disappear? ›

The rise of online-only accounts also takes tellers out of the picture, as does the creation of enhanced ATMs that can perform many of the tasks tellers traditionally have done. The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects that the number of teller jobs in the United States will fall by 52,900, or 15%, from 2022 to 2032.

Are banks getting rid of tellers? ›

Bank teller employment was expected to decline by 12% from 2021 to 2031, but financial occupations on the whole are expected to grow 7% during that time period. Being a teller creates a foundation for a career in banking, Zimmerman said, and it can open up opportunities elsewhere in the company.

Are bank tellers going away? ›

The trend is expected to continue. "Banks are investing in branch transformation initiatives aimed at cutting costs and enhancing the role of branch staff, by further automating routine everyday transactions and reorienting the traditional teller role toward more sales and advisory tasks," Berridge said.

What happens if ATM runs out of cash? ›

The bank refills it. Banks have a periodic refilling schedule to ensure ATMs are loaded with sufficient cash. They stop accepting cards in the slot.

What happens if ATM runs out of money? ›

In that case, the ATM will let you know that it has insufficient funds and will deny the transaction. You may get the chance to withdraw whatever cash remains. New York Department of State. "ATM Skimmer Scam."

How can we avoid ATMs? ›

If you aren't near one of your bank's ATMs, look for a grocery store, gas station or big retailer. Many of these offer no-fee cash back as a part of your purchase when you use a debit card or prepaid debit card at checkout. When you're asked "debit or credit," select "debit" to get cash back.

Are banks eliminating tellers? ›

Roles slated to disappear include branch managers, call center employees and tellers. Artificial intelligence, cloud computing and robots will play a larger role in daily banking functions like taking payments, approving loans and detecting fraud.

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