Belgium’s federal government has drawn up an action plan to make accessing cash easier. ‘Too many cashpoints have disappeared in recent years,’ says Minister for Consumer Protection Rob Beenders (Flemish socialist Vooruit). The sector is surprised by the initiative, stating the banks are honouring the agreements already made with government.
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Easier cash withdrawals: “Up to 2,000 more cashpoints, also in supermarkets”
Colin Clapson
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Between 2015 and 2022, around 4 in 10 Belgian cashpoints disappeared. Too many, says the government. The ‘Cash Action Plan’, promoted by Ministers Beenders, Jambon (Flemish nationalist N-VA) and Clarinval (Francophone liberal MR) aims to enshrine access to cash in law.
‘Cash is still very important to many people,’ explains Beenders. ‘Think of the elderly, people who are less comfortable with digital technology, or people who choose cash out of fear of phishing. You should always be able to choose how you pay.’
5 concrete measures
1. More cashpoints
From 2027, banks will be required to “provide a sufficient number of ATMS”. Specifically, the government wants people in urban areas to have access to an automatic telling machine within a 2-kilometre radius. In mixed-use areas, the radius is 3 km, and in rural areas, 5 km. Early next year, it will be determined how many more ATMs need to be installed to meet these targets. “I estimate that around 2,000 machines will be added,” says Beenders.
2. ATMs in shops once again
The government is repealing legislation from 1991, thereby making it possible for retailers to install ATMs at their premises. This is something many retailers have been calling for for some time.
“We want people to be able to withdraw cash easily and close to home, and local supermarkets, for example, can play an important role in this,” explains Beenders.
3. Better and safer cashpoints
More ATMs is one thing, but the government also expects that people wishing to withdraw cash can count on support if something goes wrong. From next year, someone must be available by telephone at all times so that people can report a fault immediately.
‘That is an important step, because if, for example, an ATM swallows your cash, you could be all of a tiswas. It’s unacceptable that you cannot reach anyone at a moment like that,’ says the minister.
4. Banks to be given greater responsibility
Banks cannot simply decide to scale back their services. They must help ensure that cash remains available to everyone.
“Agreements were already in place with the banks, but monitoring compliance with these agreements was sometimes difficult,” explains Beenders. “By enshrining the rules in law, the government is ensuring that people once again have easier access to cash.”
5. Monitoring and sanctions
The rules enshrined in the Cash Action Plan will come into force from next year. The agreement is binding, will remain in force until 2032 and is tacitly renewable thereafter.
The government will monitor compliance with the agreements. If banks fail to comply, sanctions may be imposed by Belgium’s Economic Inspectorate.
Febelfin reacts with surprise: ‘There used to be talk of 7 ATMs’
The banking federation Febelfin has reacted to the new action plan with some surprise. ‘I must admit that we are surprised by the announcement,’ says spokesperson Isabelle Marchand.
‘Naturally, as a sector, we attach great importance to access to cash. That is why, in March last year, we concluded an agreement with the government to guarantee access to cashpoints. That protocol remains in force until the end of 2027.’
‘The evaluation carried out at the end of last year shows that the sector is fulfilling its commitments. That evaluation states that around seven more ATMs would need to be installed to meet the protocol’s targets.’
According to Febelfin, the objectives of that protocol are virtually the same as those of the action plan presented today. The federation says it fails to understand why there is now suddenly talk of 2,000 additional ATMs.