Is there no "use of martial arts" at ATM?

Data show that as of the end of the first quarter of this year, a total of 936,700 automatic teller machines (ATM machines) nationwide were reduced by 111,000 units from the end of the previous quarter. From 2018 to 2021, the number of ATM machines dropped from 1.108 million to 947,800. This change has attracted attention. Why are there less ATM machine around us?

The main reason for the decrease in the number of ATM machines is the rapid development of mobile payment in recent years. With the popularization of mobile payment tools such as WeChat payment, Alipay, and cloud flash payment, many people are accustomed to scan code payment while shopping, and use less cash. At the same time, the digital transformation of many banks has achieved results, and various businesses have gradually moved from offline to online. In order to reduce operating costs, some banks have taken the initiative to withdraw from some ATMs, and some banks choose to limit the access to the ATM machine.

Objectively speaking, the reduction of the number of ATM machines in banking institutions is a measure to conform to the changes in people's payment habits and the trend of digital transformation. However, data released by the People's Bank of my country shows that about 13%of residents in China are mainly paid through cash. In some urban and rural junctions, rural areas, and remote areas, the use of cash is still high. In addition, some elderly people are difficult to adapt to mobile payment methods, and people who have not yet owned smartphones also need to use cash. In this case, banks should not respond to the ATM machine simply "a reduction".

First, the number of ATMs must be adjusted dynamically. Banking institutions should coordinate the distribution density and location of the machine to ensure the maintenance frequency of ATM machines, ensure that the machine can operate normally, and meet the demand for cash in residents. In particular, large -scale state -owned banks should not only count the "economic accounts" on the issue of ATM machines, but also "social responsibility accounts" and "people's livelihood accounts".

Secondly, continue to transform and upgrade the ATM machine service function. The current ATM machine is no longer a withdrawal machine in the traditional sense. It also includes new terminal devices such as service terminals, visual counters, and smart counters. In addition to applying for traditional banking counter services such as account opening and cards, it can also help customers help customers. It is not many "ability" to handle financial management business, remote connection with bank business personnel, query provident funds, agricultural and sideline prices, etc. "skills". my country has entered an aging society and adapted to the trend of the elderly for the elderly. Next, the ATM machine should also vigorously carry out the aging transformation, such as creating an exclusive version for the elderly, increasing the interface fonts, increasing the concept of proper concepts Voice interpretation and voice warnings to prevent fraud make services more intimate, eliminating "digital anxiety" of elderly groups.

Furthermore, the current digital RMB pilot continues to advance. When upgrading the ATM machine, the relevant functions of digital RMB should be added. ATMs in some regions have taken the lead in achieving the two -way exchange function of digital RMB and paper banknotes, and regulatory authorities and financial institutions should pay attention to this exploration.

At present, bank financial services have entered the era of intelligence. With the advancement of "smart counter" and "smart outlets", some financial terminal devices that are more intelligent and applied to apply new technologies will have a broad prospect. Banks should start with the aspects of improving customer experience and adapting to the new needs of customers, and focus on "intelligence" and "humanization", so that the ATM machine recovers the "use of martial arts" again.

Source: People's Daily

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