Banks shut ATMs and branches amid digital push and cost cuts

Original article by James Frost
The Australian Financial Review – Page: 18 : 9-Nov-20

Data presented to a federal parliamentary inquiry has highlighted the decline in the branch and ATM networks of Australia’s major banks over the last five years. The figures show that the number of branches and ATMs per 100,000 people has fallen by 33 per cent since 2015. Shadow assistant treasurer Andrew Leigh says the federal government has ignored the issue of branch closures, and says it has no plans to ensure that disadvantaged Australians continue to have access to banking services. The Australian Banking Association notes that the shift to digital banking has gathered pace during the coronavirus pandemic.

CORPORATES
AUSTRALIAN BANKING ASSOCIATION

RBA tips fewer ATMs and an end to cheques

Original article by Joyce Moullakis
The Australian – Page: 17 : 4-Jun-20

The Reserve Bank of Australia could introduce a ‘least-cost routing’ regime for credit card transactions unless merchants take the initiative themselves, according to assistant governor Michele Bullock. This is among the options that will be considered in the RBA’s review of the payments system. Bullock also notes that the coronavirus pandemic has seen a sharp downturn in ATM usage, which may prompt the nation’s ATM network to be scaled back. She adds that cheques could soon be phased out, given that this payment option has been in steady decline for the last two decades.

CORPORATES
RESERVE BANK OF AUSTRALIA

Big banks chop 200 branches in cost-cutting drive

Original article by Cliona O’Dowd
The Australian – Page: 21 : 24-Oct-19

Data from the Australian Prudential Regulation Authority shows that the nation’s four major banks closed 207 branches during 2018-19, and 750 since 2014. Westpac has closed 333 branches in the last five years, including those of its subsidiaries, ahead of ANZ Bank with 190. A Westpac spokesman has defended the closures, noting that less than two per cent of banking transactions are now undertaken in its branches. More than 1,000 ATMs nationwide have also been scrapped in the last year.

CORPORATES
AUSTRALIAN PRUDENTIAL REGULATION AUTHORITY, WESTPAC BANKING CORPORATION – ASX WBC, AUSTRALIA AND NEW ZEALAND BANKING GROUP LIMITED – ASX ANZ, COMMONWEALTH BANK OF AUSTRALIA – ASX CBA, NATIONAL AUSTRALIA BANK LIMITED – ASX NAB, ST GEORGE BANK LIMITED, BANK OF MELBOURNE LIMITED, BANK OF SOUTH AUSTRALIA LIMITED, FINANCE SECTOR UNION

The way Australians bank

Original article by Roy Morgan
Market Research Update – Page: Online : 7-May-18

A Roy Morgan Single Source survey shows that ATMs remain the most used banking channel in Australia, with 83.4% of Australians aged 14+ using an ATM in the year to March (down 0.8%). Internet Banking is the second most used banking channel, with 54.2% using Internet Banking in the last 12 months (down 2.0%). The rapid increase in the use of mobile banking, with its higher satisfaction levels compared to branches, appears to have affected the number who use it compared to visiting a branch. Mobile banking usage is at 46.5% (up 3.1%), beating visiting a branch at 45.1% (down 3.5%). Phone Banking also saw an increase on 2017, with 24.1% of Australians aged 14+ using Phone Banking (up 1.6%).

CORPORATES
ROY MORGAN LIMITED

Major bitcoin ATM rollout on the way

Original article by Ruth Liew
The Australian Financial Review – Page: 16 : 25-Jul-14

ABA Technology plans to place Bitcoin ATM machines in shopping centres and other high-traffic, high-profile locations around Australia. Chris Guzowski, founder and CEO of the company, says five more ATMs will be rolled out in various capital cities by September 2014. Shoppers already have access to three Bitcoin ATMs, in the Emporium Melbourne mall, Sydney’s Westfield shopping centre, and the Canberra Centre

CORPORATES
ABA TECHNOLOGY PTY LTD|WESTFIELD CORPORATION – ASX WFD|ASX LIMITED – ASX ASX|DIGITALBTC|SCENTRE GROUP – ASX SCG|EMPORIUM MELBOURNE