The national ATM machine has dropped below one million units. How long does you use an ATM machine?

The latest data released by the central bank recently showed that the number of ATMs across the country has dropped below one million units. my country used to be the world's largest ATM market. Now the overall number of ATM machines has begun to decline after reaching its peak in 2018. The reason is closely related to the rapid popularization of mobile payment.

In recent years, with the rise of mobile payment methods such as WeChat, Alipay, and Bank APP, people are used to scanning the code to complete the transaction instead of looking for cash, and the importance of ATM machines has greatly reduced. As a tool to access cash, when the ATM machine does not use or uses very low frequency for a long time, the daily operation and maintenance costs still need to be paid as usual, and it is not surprising that it is not a "destiny" that it is cut off by banks.

The decline in the number of ATM machines is an inevitable result of the transformation of financial consumption and financial services, but this does not mean that it will withdraw from the historical stage. For example, for the elderly group, they may insist on using cash payment because they do not understand the operation process of mobile payment software and relatively small APP fonts; The infrastructure is relatively backward and lacks cash for the use of mobile phone payment. In addition, there are still a lot of cash payment demand for logistics and transportation such as "cargo -to -payment" cash payment model. Of course, mobile payment has become the first choice in consumers' daily life, but most people still need to use cash payment, especially in small payment. As long as the cash payment still exists, the ATM machine that is convenient for cash will be useful.

In the context of mobile payment, where should the ATM machine go? Promoting the upgrade of ATM machine products is a realistic path. Since the first quarter of 2018, the central bank has expanded the statistical caliber of the number of ATM machines, adding new terminal devices such as statistical self -service terminals, visible counters (VTM), and smart counters. These new terminal devices have been upgraded by technical upgrades and have covered most of the traditional counter business, and the ATM machines are no longer limited to access funds. Taking VTM as an example, it can provide traditional bank counters such as card issuance, account sales, loss, and deposit certification. It can also help users handle public, foreign currency, financial financial management business, etc. through remote audio calls and desktop sharing. Provide more comprehensive financial services.

In addition, the rolling of digital RMB pilots also has a lot of upgrade demand for ATM machines. In the context of promoting digital RMB, many ATM mechanism manufacturers are trying to take the lead in the emerging market, including the establishment of digital currency research and development of digital currency software or hardware wallets, and cooperating with bank digital RMB business. While the bank is carried out to upgrade the replacement transformation, it may wish to re -adjust the area distribution of the ATM machine, give full play to the subjective initiative of ATM machine suppliers, actively promote the integrated application with digital RMB, promote technological upgrading and business innovation, and provide more refined business. Turn towards the goal of integrated smart financial terminal manufacturers and smart financial service providers. At the same time, strengthen business cooperation with banks, extend business contacts, and win their own market living space while better serving people's daily life.

(Source: Economic Daily)

【Edit: Fu Sakura】

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