Consumer Council Report 2013 - a record year for ATMs

In its annual report published today 12th December, LINK’s Consumer Council report welcomes three records:

• The number of Free-to-use ATMs has reached the highest level ever and now stands at 47,367. An increase of just over 5% on 2012.
• August 2013 was the busiest month for ATMs on record, dispensing £11.4 billion in 278 million transactions.
• Of the 1,694 areas LINK identified as having problems with access to cash, 1,425 (84%) have been resolved by new ATMs.

The full report can be downloaded here

The number of free-to-use cash machines in the UK now totals 47,367 (45,033 in 2012), which accounts for 70% of the UK’s 67,373 ATMs.

Access to cash has been a long-standing focus for the industry. In 2006 LINK Scheme members, the government and local communities across the UK came together to identify areas with a lack of access to free cash. Since then more than 915 free-to-use ATMs have been installed in deprived areas (850 at the end of 2012), with 95% of all the key areas identified having at least one of these machines within the area or within one kilometre from the area’s centre.

LINK also encourages consumers to suggest a location in need of a free-to-use ATM by visiting wwww.link.co.uk.

Dr. Ken Andrew, Chairman of LINK’s Consumer Council commented:

“It has been a busy year for LINK’s Consumer Council, fuelled by consumers’ continuing demand for cash. Inclusion is at the heart of what we do, and this year has seen some major successes in ensuring people can access their cash safely and securely.

Other highlights in the Consumer Council report include:

• The number of new ATMs installed between the end of 2012 and end of October 2013 was 1,239.
• The number of ATMs dispensing £5 notes grew over to over 5,400 this is up from around 700 in 2010.
• The LINK ATM Scheme continues to sponsors a dedicated ATM PhD at Central Saint Martins College, London.