The UK has seen one in 10 ATMs shut over the previous three years, based on new figures.
Evaluation of information from Hyperlink – a community of money machines – reveals there have been round 48,500 ATMs open as of June this yr.
This was down 10% from 54,000 in June 2021.
The figures present important regional variations the place closures are taking place. London and the South West have been worst impacted, dropping one in seven machines.
As well as, 12 native authority areas have seen a minimum of 1 / 4 of their ATMs shut over this era.
The decline in ATMs is regarding, though the brand new laws lately launched by the Monetary Conduct Authority ought to defend entry for the overwhelming majority of individuals
Caroline Abrahams, charity director at Age UK
The East Midlands county of Rutland has fared the worst of any space within the nation, dropping half of the 18 money machines it had in June 2021.
Campaigners have been working to make sure individuals can entry money, as customers more and more transfer to card and contactless funds.
Caroline Abrahams, charity director at Age UK, mentioned free entry to money is “completely very important” for older individuals, given lots of them don’t handle their cash on-line.
“The decline in ATMs is regarding, though the brand new laws lately launched by the Monetary Conduct Authority (FCA) ought to defend entry for the overwhelming majority of individuals,” she mentioned.
FCA guidelines launched in September require banks to offer extra consideration to native communities earlier than they shut a department, and corporations to test whether or not extra companies are wanted earlier than an ATM is switched off.
“We hope that the Authorities will proceed to observe the state of affairs and can be capable to act if crucial,” Ms Abrahams added.
As extra persons are selecting to pay for issues digitally or with contactless funds, it does imply that we’re utilizing much less money and as a consequence, we now have fewer money machines
Nick Quin, head of economic inclusion at Hyperlink
As a silver lining for customers, the evaluation reveals ATMs which cost a charge are disappearing a lot sooner than these which don’t.
Multiple in 5 surcharging ATMs closed between 2021 and 2024, in contrast with 6% of free machines.
Customers within the North West are the probably to be charged for taking out money, with practically 1 / 4 (24%) of ATMs charging a charge. Throughout the UK this determine is 20%.
Nick Quin, head of economic inclusion at Hyperlink, mentioned: “As extra persons are selecting to pay for issues digitally or with contactless funds, it does imply that we’re utilizing much less money and as a consequence, we now have fewer money machines.”
He added the corporate is working to make sure individuals can nonetheless entry money the place and after they want.
Mr Quin credit their monetary inclusion programme for making certain 93% of individuals dwell inside a mile of free entry to money.
