In 2023, about 6 million Mir card holders from partner banks carried out over 30 million cash deposit transactions on their cards through Sber ATMs, according to the bank’s press service. The figure highlights how widely Sber ATMs were used as a cash handling channel by customers outside the bank’s own client base, reflecting a broader demand for convenient card-to-card cash service across the Russian financial ecosystem.
Sber reminded customers that, starting from December 2022, deposits to cards issued by any Russian bank could be made at Sber ATMs. This cross-bank cash deposit capability comes with no additional commission, emphasizing a consumer-friendly approach to expanding access to funds across the national banking network.
The company noted that the service is available at almost all devices equipped with cash deposit functionality, covering 98% of Sber’s ATM network. In parallel, Sber users can deposit and withdraw cash without needing a physical card by using a QR code within the SberBank Online app, a feature that aligns with modern contactless and digital wallet trends seen in North American markets as well.
Tatyana Galkina, Senior Vice President and Head of the Sales Network Block at Sberbank, stressed that Sber’s ATM network remains the largest in Russia, a claim underscored by the extensive reach across the country. The emphasis on ATM accessibility reflects a strategic commitment to ensuring cash services are available even in remote or sparsely populated areas, where traditional bank branches may be scarce.
Galkina also noted the strategic deployment of ATMs across the domestic landscape, pointing out that the network serves communities far from urban centers. This expansive footprint helps support financial inclusion by giving residents more reliable access to cash withdrawal and deposit services without depending solely on branch locations.
Additionally, it is worth recalling that in 2023 Sber undertook a modernization of its ATM operations by transferring its cash processing to its own infrastructure and adopting its own InterSphere management software. This shift to in-house processing and control aimed to streamline service delivery, improve reliability, and enhance security across all ATM transactions. As a result, customers benefit from more consistent service quality and faster transaction processing when interacting with Sber ATMs, even as they use cards issued by other banks. (Source: Sber’s press materials dated 2023.)