The digitization of payments is progressing rapidly, and cash and cash supply are adapting to market changes.
In Switzerland, cash still has a high value for a large part of the population. The decline in the number of bank and post office branches and ATMs is affecting the availability of cash.
Between 2015 and 2023, the number of bank branches fell from 3,100 to 2,600, the number of post office branches fell from 1,500 to 800, and the number of ATMs fell from 7,200 in early 2020 to less than 6,400 today.
The current situation risks increasing the cost of providing cash, which could put more pressure on banks as ATM operators and increase the cost of providing ATM infrastructure.
In order to ensure sustainable, efficient and widespread cash supply in Switzerland in the long term, new cooperation models are needed. Against this backdrop, SIX and Diebold Nixdorf have decided to combine their expertise in cash supply and ATM operations. Combining expertise, technology and a wide network of partners, the two companies are developing innovative approaches to market challenges and, together with partners such as Helveticor Ltd, are evaluating ways to make cash logistics more sustainable and efficient.
Goals of cooperation
SIX and Diebold Nixdorf are working together to continuously optimize ATM operations in Switzerland, covering the entire cash supply value chain. For ATM users, this means regular, secure and reliable cash transactions, while banks benefit from simpler processes. The goal is to achieve efficient cash management by providing all relevant operational and administrative services from a single source.
Switzerland’s vision for cash supply
SIX and Diebold Nixdorf believe that ATM pooling is an essential contribution to the efficient, nationwide and stable cash supply in Switzerland. With ATM pooling, Swiss banks operating ATMs will integrate them into a separately operated network. In particular, these networks will have the task of optimizing ATM operations in terms of geographical coverage, operations and cash logistics, so that Swiss banks can continue to guarantee comprehensive access to cash to their customers and ATM users. ATM users will also benefit from state-of-the-art ATM technology and an expanded network.
The requirements for implementing ATM pooling will be discussed with Swiss banks, which are ATM operators, at an event in September.
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