The digitalization of payments is progressing rapidly, and cash and cash supply are adapting to market changes.

In Switzerland, cash continues to be highly valued by large segments of the population. The decline in the number of bank and post office branches and ATMs is having an impact on the availability of cash.

Between 2015 and 2023, the number of bank branches fell from 3,100 to 2,600 and the number of post office branches from 1,500 to 800, while the number of ATMs fell from 7,200 at the beginning of 2020 to less than 6,400 today.

In the current situation, there is a risk that the cost of providing cash will rise, putting further pressure on banks as ATM operators and driving up the cost of providing the ATM infrastructure.

In order to ensure a sustainable, efficient and broad-based cash supply in Switzerland in the long term, new cooperation models are required. Against this backdrop, SIX and Diebold Nixdorf have decided to combine their expertise in cash supply and ATM operations. By combining expertise, technology and a broad partner network, the two companies are developing an innovative approach to market challenges and, together with partners such as Helveticor Ltd, are evaluating how to make cash logistics more sustainable and efficient.

Goals of the Collaboration

By working together, SIX and Diebold Nixdorf are covering the entire cash supply value chain to ensure continuous optimization of ATM operations in Switzerland. For ATM users, this means the usual secure and reliable cash transactions, while banks benefit from leaner processes. The aim is to achieve efficient cash management by offering all relevant operating and management services from a sole source.

Vision for Cash Supply in Switzerland

SIX and Diebold Nixdorf believe that ATM pooling is an indispensable contribution to an efficient, nationwide and reliable cash supply in Switzerland. With ATM pooling, the Swiss banks that operate ATMs will integrate them into a separately operated network. In particular, such a network would have the task of optimizing the operation of ATMs in terms of geographical coverage, operations and cash logistics in such a way that the Swiss banks can continue to guarantee their customers and ATM users comprehensive access to cash. ATM users will also benefit from state-of-the-art ATM technology and an expanded network.

The requirements for the implementation of ATM pooling will be discussed at an event in September with the Swiss banks as ATM operators.

Featured image credit: edited from freepik