Protecting the ATM network
Protecting free cash access - the Footprint Report
In 2018, we committed to protecting the broad geographic spread of the ATM network, and to publish data about how we do it. While the location of cash machines is outside LINK's direct control, we protect the level of interchange paid on free cash machines which are more than 1km away from their nearest alternative free cash machine. This data shows how we are achieving this goal.
Number of Protected ATMs
| Number of Protected ATMs | Jan-22 | Feb-22 | Mar-22 | Apr-22 | May-22 | Jun-22 | Jul-22 | Aug-22 | Sep-22 | Oct-22 | Nov-22 | Dec-22 | Jan-23 | Feb-23 | Mar-23 | Apr-23 | May-23 | Jun-23 | Jul-23 | Aug-23 | Sep-23 | Oct-23 | Nov-23 | Dec-23 | Jan-24 | Feb-24 | Mar-24 | Apr-24 | May-24 | Jun-24 | Jul-24 | Aug-24 | Sep-24 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Total Protected ATMs | 3,230 | 3,232 | 3,237 | 3,266 | 3,278 | 3,292 | 3,298 | 3,303 | 3,307 | 3,310 | 3,322 | 3,335 | 3,340 | 3,352 | 3,365 | 3,374 | 3,391 | 3,396 | 3,410 | 3,428 | 3,440 | 3,445 | 3,459 | 3,470 | 3,482 | 3,493 | 3,504 | 3,510 | 3,513 | 3,528 | 3,540 | 3,562 | 3,565 |
In 2018, we committed to ensure that the geographic coverage of the ATM network does not reduce even though the number of machines is falling. We do this by providing a subsidy to cash machines which don't have any alternatives for 1km. We monitor the ATM network every month, and when machines close we step in to protect the last one remaining. The number will rise over time as the overall ATM network gets smaller. This work is regulated by the Payment Systems Regulator as part of their Specific Direction 12. Download the full footprint report at the bottom of the page.
Protected ATMs in Direct Commissioning
| Protected ATMs in Direct Commissioning | Jan-22 | Feb-22 | Mar-22 | Apr-22 | May-22 | Jun-22 | Jul-22 | Aug-22 | Sep-22 | Oct-22 | Nov-22 | Dec-22 | Jan-23 | Feb-23 | Mar-23 | Apr-23 | May-23 | Jun-23 | Jul-23 | Aug-23 | Sep-23 | Oct-23 | Nov-23 | Dec-23 | Jan-24 | Feb-24 | Mar-24 | Apr-24 | May-24 | Jun-24 | Jul-24 | Aug-24 | Sep-24 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Number of Protected ATMs in Direct Commissioning | 21 | 17 | 16 | 16 | 17 | 17 | 11 | 12 | 12 | 13 | 9 | 13 | 18 | 18 | 19 | 19 | 24 | 24 | 23 | 22 | 24 | 22 | 33 | 26 | 22 | 19 | 21 | 23 | 22 | 22 | 20 | 22 | 25 |
Protected ATMs can close for a number of reasons, including if a shop closes down. Where they do close, we can replace them by directly funding a new cash machine through a competitive process with our Members. This graph shows the number of locations where we are currently commissioning a replacement cash machine.
Protected ATMs resolved through Direct Commissioning
| Protected ATMs resolved through Direct Commissioning | Jan-22 | Feb-22 | Mar-22 | Apr-22 | May-22 | Jun-22 | Jul-22 | Aug-22 | Sep-22 | Oct-22 | Nov-22 | Dec-22 | Jan-23 | Feb-23 | Mar-23 | Apr-23 | May-23 | Jun-23 | Jul-23 | Aug-23 | Sep-23 | Oct-23 | Nov-23 | Dec-23 | Jan-24 | Feb-24 | Mar-24 | Apr-24 | May-24 | Jun-24 | Jul-24 | Aug-24 | Sep-24 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Total Protected ATMs | 33 | 35 | 36 | 36 | 40 | 41 | 45 | 46 | 46 | 47 | 47 | 47 | 48 | 48 | 48 | 48 | 49 | 49 | 51 | 52 | 52 | 53 | 53 | 55 | 57 | 59 | 60 | 61 | 64 | 66 | 66 | 69 | 70 |
This graph shows the number of cash machines we have commissioned where a Protected ATM has closed. This is an important part of our work to maintain the footprint of the ATM Network. A full list of directly commissioned locations can be downloaded below.
Funding for Financial Inclusion ATMs
| Funding for Financial Inclusion ATMs | Feb-23 | Mar-23 | Apr-23 | May-23 | Jun-23 | Jul-23 | Aug-23 | Sep-23 | Oct-23 | Nov-23 | Dec-23 | Jan-24 | Feb-24 | Mar-24 | Apr-24 | May-24 | Jun-24 | Jul-24 | Aug-24 | Sep-24 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Funding for Financial Inclusion ATMs | 1,248,878 | 1,415,245 | 1,400,257 | 1,467,950 | 1,466,558 | 1,453,968 | 1,460,006 | 1,439,173 | 1,426,546 | 1,403,443 | 1,416,346 | 1,243,318 | 1,355,419 | 1,525,506 | 1,467,170 | 1,617,351 | 1,568,617 | 1,579,213 | 1,600,858 | 1,493,473 |
Every protected ATM receives enhanced interchange to make sure it is economically viable. Along with the extra funding we provide to cash machines serving specific deprived areas, we spend over £1m a month supporting those cash machines.
Cash Access in Financial Inclusion Areas
| Cash Access in Financial Inclusion Areas | Feb-23 | Mar-23 | Apr-23 | May-23 | Jun-23 | Jul-23 | Aug-23 | Sep-23 | Oct-23 | Nov-23 | Dec-23 | Jan-24 | Feb-24 | Mar-24 | Apr-24 | May-24 | Jun-24 | Jul-24 | Aug-24 | Sep-24 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Resolved by free to use | 1,849 | 1,847 | 1,847 | 1,847 | 1,847 | 1,846 | 1,853 | 1,877 | 1,876 | 1,829 | 1,829 | 1,833 | 1,819 | 1,826 | 1,837 | 1,812 | 1,825 | 1,844 | 1,844 | 1,834 |
| Resolved by Site Visit | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 35 | 35 | 35 | 35 | 35 | 35 | 35 | 35 | 35 | 35 | 35 |
| Resolved by PO | 428 | 435 | 434 | 434 | 439 | 443 | 444 | 441 | 438 | 434 | 436 | 428 | 437 | 430 | 430 | 444 | 446 | 430 | 426 | 436 |
| Resolved by Counter Terminal | 36 | 43 | 43 | 48 | 46 | 48 | 50 | 50 | 47 | 53 | 53 | 58 | 52 | 50 | 48 | 40 | 50 | 45 | 46 | 43 |
| Unresolved | 492 | 480 | 481 | 476 | 473 | 468 | 458 | 437 | 444 | 454 | 452 | 451 | 462 | 464 | 463 | 474 | 449 | 451 | 454 | 457 |
We monitor cash access in 2,805 deprived areas across the UK. most of those areas have good cash access through cash machines or the Post Office. We work with our members to maintain and improve that, by providing financial incentives to machines which serve those communities.
ATMs funded for communities
On top of replacing cash machines in protected locations, we have funded free cash access in communities up and down the country, as a result of community requests and to fulfill our high street commitment.
Footprint Report downloads
Frequently asked questions
We publish relevant data in both summary graphics on these pages, and in accessible formats to download and analyse. If there is more information that would assist you in understanding cash access across the UK, please get in touch via info@link.co.uk.
We provide regular datasets on a range of topics. Some datasets are published weekly, others monthly or annually. Each dataset will make it clear how frequently it is updated. It is worth noting that the ATM network changes frequently, and any data published on these pages should be considered a snapshot at a moment in time.
We are happy to support non-commercial and anonymised use of our data for research purposes. Please get in touch with us via info@link.co.uk if you have a specific request.
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