STRATEGIC PARTNERS
January 9, 2019
The number of ATMs and bank branches in Australia has shrunk over the past two years as more Aussies turn to digital banking.
But the resulting lack of cash access is getting some blowback from residents of towns that are losing their banking facilities, according to a report by ABC Radio Adelaide.
"BankSA closed their branch in Willunga four years ago and … [gave] an assurance that while they were closing the branch, people could still use the ATM," Local MP Leon Bignell said in the report. "Then in September last year they ripped the ATM out."
According to the report, the lack of a bank ATM caused difficulties for customers and vendors at the weekly farmers market in Willunga when the market’s ATM broke down.
Some of the market’s regular vendors accept payment via mobile app or POS, but this incurs additional charges, the network said.
Across Australia, the ATM count is down 8 percent from its peak in December 2016. Currently, 30,219 ATMs serve a population of approximately 25 million.
