Today, when you are considering upgrading your ATM network,
you have a choice.
Cash recycling ATMs are now a viable option!
“Banks are expected to pivot further towards recycling as the ratio of withdrawals to deposits narrows and CIT costs grow, presenting increased opportunities for cost savings.”
RBR
In the past, cash-recycling technology was perceived by many banks and credit unions to be too expensive, too complex to implement or not appropriate for low volume/cash dispensing locations. With today’s depository, higher volume ATMs, cash recycling is proving to be an increasingly viable option. Globally, over two thirds of deposit terminals are expected to recycle notes by 2024 and the technology is now taking off in markets where it had previously been overlooked, such as the US. Even where the functionality is not immediately used, banks and credit unions are purchasing these machines to allow them the flexibility of switching on the recycling function at a later date when the business case is established.
Number of automated deposit terminals worldwide by type (thousands)
Asia and Europe’s adoption of cash-recycling ATMs began over a decade ago, with Japan and South Korea deploying in the late 90s. RBR estimates show active cash recyclers have increased by approximately 76% since 2013. Today, in Japan and South Korea, nearly all ATMs offer recycling functionality.
Adoption in the US has been slow due to the focus on branch transformation and transaction migration over the past two decades. The result, more cash in volumes at the ATM and more bin fulls.
In today’s environment FI’s are now focused on removing excess costs including cash handling, improving channel optimization and overall efficiency.
| Recycling Deployment | Recycling Rates | Countries |
|---|---|---|
| Emerging | <5% 5% – 15% 16% – 29% |
US, Brazil, UK, Russia, South Africa, Finland |
| Mature | 30% – 40% >40% |
Turkey, Germany, China |
| Full Deployment | nearing 100% | Japan, South Korea |
Source: RBR 2018, Global ATM Market and Forecasts to 2023
What are the benefits of recycling ATMs?
- More cash is being deposited at ATMs and consumers are comfortable depositing cash when they receive detailed imaged receipts. In fact, many institutions will tell you they have a bin full issue. With recycling, the cash will not only reduce bin fill service calls but reduce cash replenishment costs.
- Recycling ATMs offers an institution improved cost control. Recycling enables reduced CIT replenishment costs, cash handling and check processing expenses and extra branch staffing requirements. In addition, recycling ATMs have proven better uptime, due to fewer CIT /branch touchpoints.
- The newer cash recycling ATMs also offer the option of core integration, designed to deliver even more consumer transactions at the ATMs. Add the contactless feature will be even more important in the post-Covid world.
- We anticipate that post pandemic, institutions will again revisit their branch network requirements. The next gen ATMs give your institution a leave behind option which offers your customers/members a more robust set of transactions thanks to core integration, recycling, contactless and video optional self-service technology.
Key Cash Facts and Stats
Results of a recent 2020 cash study1 highlighted 3 key trends
83%
Cash most used payment method
57%
Have withdrawn cash from ATMs in last 30 days
56%
Used the branch teller to deposit or withdraw in the last 30 days
Consumers are using the ATMs but walk into branch 34% of the time for denomination exchanges. Wow.
In addition, beyond the 56% of the consumers who use the branch to make a cash deposit of withdrawal, 47% go into the branch to deposit a check. These top 2 transactions can be done at the ATM and with the pandemic closure of lobbies we may finally see these routine activities finally driven out of the branch.
The 2019 Federal Reserve2 study, released in early 2020, revealed the number of ATM cash withdrawals was 5.1 billion in 2018, a slight decline from 2015. The average value of ATM cash withdrawals continued to rise, increasing to $156 in 2018 from $146 in 2015.
Number (Billions)
Value (Trillions)
1 Cardtronics Health of Cash 2020
2 Read the study link located in the Article Sources section.
