More than a quarter of Belgians complain about the lack of ATMs in the area. This is almost half more than in 2019. And nowhere else in Europe is he frustrated about the lack of cash collection points being so severe.
The rapid decline in the number of ATMs in our country is difficult for Belgians. In a three-year survey by the European Central Bank (ECB), one in four (27 percent) said they find it hard to get cash. Three years ago it was only 15%. In the entire eurozone, one in ten says it is difficult to find a collection point. The ECB report says it is becoming more difficult for vulnerable people in Belgium to make payments.
Major Belgian banks have been phasing out their branch network for some time now, and as a result their ATMs are also disappearing. According to figures from the banking association Febelfin, there were 15,946 ATMs in Belgium in 2010, compared to just 7,919 last year, which is almost half the number.
Neutral bank ATMs
Pickup points in offices will be replaced with bank-neutral ATMs from Batopin, a partnership of the Big Four banks. But this is increasingly criticized. Last month, the competition authority opened an investigation into whether co-operation between banks is beneficial to consumers.
The Federation of Flemish Cities and Municipalities (VVSG) now advocates that 95 percent of Belgians have at least one ATM within a 5-kilometre radius. ATMs in stores can also be a solution and are worth considering for VVSG.
Read also: At least one ATM disappears every day in our country: 3,275 have already decreased since 2015: “The cancellation of ATMs must stop” (+)
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