25.02.2026 15:11
In France, 1,500 ATMs went out of service in a year, bringing the total number of ATMs down to 42,578, and cash withdrawal transactions decreased by 4.3%. In Turkey, while digital payments are rapidly growing, access to cash channels remains strong thanks to the joint ATM applications of public banks and their extensive branch network.
As payment habits rapidly digitalize on a global scale, the role of cash in the economy continues to be debated. The French Central Bank's definition of cash usage as "a right of citizenship" has brought the balance between digital transformation and financial inclusion back to the forefront.
THE NUMBER OF ATMs IN FRANCE HAS DECREASED
According to Banque de France data, 1,500 ATMs were deactivated across France in 2024, bringing the total number of ATMs down to 42,578. Cash withdrawal transactions decreased by 4.3% compared to the previous year. However, another striking piece of data was the increase in the average withdrawal amount. The average cash withdrawal amount, which was 82 euros in 2014, rose to 126 euros in 2024. This picture revealed that citizens are withdrawing cash less frequently but in higher amounts.
CASH IS SERVING AS A SAFEGUARD
Experts emphasized that cash serves as a safeguard, especially in extraordinary situations such as internet outages and technical failures, while also noting that it remains a critical tool for accessing the financial system for the elderly population and low-income groups.
DIGITAL PAYMENTS ARE STRENGTHENING IN TURKEY
Turkey, on the other hand, is demonstrating performance above the European average in payment systems infrastructure and digital banking usage. Data from the Interbank Card Center shows that the share of card payments within total payments has been increasing every year. Especially in the post-pandemic period, the habit of contactless payments has become permanent.
In Turkey, instant payment systems like QR codes and FAST are among the factors reducing cash usage even in small transactions. However, data from the Central Bank of the Republic of Turkey shows that the volume of banknotes in circulation continues to increase nominally. The emission volume is shaped in parallel with economic activity and price levels. While the number of ATMs is decreasing in France, access channels to cash maintain their strong structure in Turkey thanks to the joint ATM applications of public banks and a widespread branch network.