Plans to install thousands of new ATMs in Belgium by the end of next year have been revealed, including the previously lacking information about how they will be distributed.
Batopin, the ATM company set up by Belgium's biggest banks (Belfius, BNP Paribas Fortis, ING and KBC) this week unveiled its plans to install 970 new Bancontact CASH points with a total of more than 2,500 cash machines in 503 Belgian municipalities by the end of 2025.
Cash machines have been disappearing at a rapid rate across Belgium, prompting recurring complaints about the difficulty of withdrawing money.
Last year, an agreement was signed between the Federal Government, the Belgian financial sector federation, Febelfin, and Batopin to ensure that some 4,000 ATMs will be distributed throughout the country by 2027, "more harmoniously than today". But several groups complained about the lack of transparency about how ATMs would be evenly distributed.
Batopin has now revealed where new CASH points have already been installed, as well as other locations that are either being considered or where the machines are being installed. These can be found on CASH.be.
"Mayors and consumers are keen to know if and where there will be a CASH point in their municipality," said Jeroen Ghysel, CEO of Batopin. "With the announcement, we are bringing clarity to everyone."
Particular problem in Brussels
Two ATMs have been removed every day in Belgium since 2018, and the impact of disappearing banks and ATMs is particularly felt in Brussels, where many residents have to travel far to get cash. Figures from Febelfin showed that there were 340 bank branches and counters in the capital in 2018, but that this number declined to 205 by 2022, a 40% drop.
For many low-income households, using cash is not only a form of budget management. They are also less likely to have access to the Internet and their digital skills are more likely to be limited, further adding to their vulnerability in the digitalisation of banking services.
However, Batopin's figures show improvement is on the way, as 127 (new or planned) locations are in the Brussels Region. Overall, many of the new CASH points are located in SNCB train stations or STIB metro stations. Three have already been opened in the North Station (a fourth is being built around here) and in the South Station, while one is now accessible in Central Station (with another on the way).
In the Northern Quarter and Brabant Quarter, aside from those located in the North Station, two ATMs are being built and the company is still looking for a suitable location for another.
Credit: Belga
In Molenbeek-Saint-Jean, Batopin has opened four locations, another is being built and one more location is being sought, while in Saint-Josse-ten-Noode, three have already been opened.
In Anderlecht, two new points are being constructed, one other location is under consideration and ATMs have been opened at four other locations, albeit near each other, raising questions about efficient spreading.
However, Ghysel stressed that, when selecting locations, the company looks at where cash is intuitively needed, rather than where banks keep their branches open. "This way, we avoid over-concentration in certain places and shortages elsewhere."
Still searching
Around 1,000 cash machines are already in operation at 400 locations in Belgium (41% of locations) and construction has already started for another 17% of locations. By 2025, 95% of people in Belgium will find a CASH point within five kilometres of driving distance.
But the map does highlight that there is still some way to go. For 42% of the locations across Belgium, including many in Brussels, Batopin is still looking for a suitable place to install an ATM, which is not always easy as it has to meet many technical conditions to place ATMs.
The company therefore stressed it wants to be able to quickly take further steps regarding permits and suitable premises, in consultation with local governments, to meet the target of the end of 2025.
It will also undertake more site visits with its teams to find new locations and by now clearly indicating on the map where it is still looking for suitable sites, Batopin also hopes to find landlords more easily. "Those who have premises available can contact us via the website," Ghysel concluded.
