The Central Bank recorded a decrease in the number of ATMs in Russia. In January-June 2022, their number decreased by 3.3%, or 6.2 thousand, to 181.2 thousand as of 1 July. This is due to the data of the Central Bank, which socialbites.ca met.
Commenting on the Central Bank data, Maxim Osadchiy, head of the analytical department of BKF bank, listed several reasons for the decrease in the number of ATMs.
“This was influenced by the disappearance of cash from circulation, the increase in the number of payment cards and the increase in the financial culture of the population. While the share of cash withdrawals using payment cards in Russia in 2008 was 92.6%, in the first half of 2022 this share was only 41%. Even in the market, you can pay with a card or, at the most “advanced” merchants, using a POS terminal. Also – with the help of a transfer to the card, ”explained Osadchy.
According to the Central Bank, the number of ATMs increased only in 6 regions: Chechen Republic (+1.8%), Dagestan (+1.7%) and North Ossetia (+0.8%), Crimea (3.1%) , Sevastopol (+1.3%) and Rostov region (+0.6%).
Karelia (-9.9%) was the leader in the decrease in the number of ATMs.
According to Osadchiy, the maximum number of 237.4 thousand ATMs was reached on January 1, 2014, after which their number decreased relatively steadily.
“From January 1, 2014 to July 1, 2022, the number of ATMs in the Russian Federation decreased by 56.2 thousand units, or 23.7%,” the analyst said.
On September 9, the Cash Circulation Council meeting of the Central Bank was held. The problems of import substitution in terms of banks working with cash were discussed. According to a Kommersant source, the council has presented a roadmap for the creation and launch of domestic ATMs in the market. Accordingly, the first samples of domestic ATMs will be ready this fall. Banks will test them. If all goes well, mass production of batches on the conveyor will begin in the first quarter of 2023. ATM manufacturers will be BFS and SAGA.
Source: Gazeta
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