Weekly ATM value and volume figures 6 December 2020.
Key observations for week ending 6 December:
- Last week ATM transactions increased by 2.7 million (when compared to the previous week).
- Last week’s ATM transactions were 18.6 million less than the equivalent week in 2019.
- Weekly ATM use has reduced by 38% (compared to equivalent week in 2019).
- The final weekend of the lockdown clearly took its toll on cash usage with the volume of transactions falling back to a reduction of 50% compared to 2019
Weekly LINK ATM transaction volumes
The latest figures from LINK show the continued effect of the UK’s transition to digital payments and the easing of the latest national lockdown on ATM and cash use.
Last week saw a total of 30.6 million ATM transactions which represents an increase of 2.7 million ATM transactions over last week with the easing of lockdowns a contributory factor to the increased activity (although still a substantial reduction of 18.6 million transactions when compared with the equivalent week last year).
Source: LINK
Source: LINK
Weekly LINK ATM transaction volumes
Source: LINK
Last week ATM volumes reduced by 38% (compared to 2019).
Lockdown 1.0 vs Lockdown 2.0
The graph below demonstrates that post Lockdown 1.0 the weekly volume of ATM transaction rose from a low point of 20 million to circa 30 million at the point we entered Lockdown 2.0.
However, the latest weekly figures from LINK highlights the effects of the ending of Lockdown 2.0 – an initial significant reduction in the use of ATM’s to 26million transactions per week during lockdown followed by an upward trend over the last couple of weeks which has increased further as the lockdown eased across most of the country.
Source: LINK
The latest chart from LINK now tracks volume (blue) and value (red) – over the following weeks we’ll continue to track the impact of Lockdown 2.0 on our cash and digital payment habits.
The final weeks of 2020 (especially the traditional seasonal end of year impact of a temporary dip of circa 10 million transactions a week) will be one to watch – will the different factors at play as restrictions are eased over the festive period temporarily change the payment habits that have developed during the months of lockdown?
Daily ATM Volumes
Source: LINK
The final weekend of the lockdown clearly took its toll on cash usage with the volume of transactions falling back to a reduction of 50% compared to 2019. Since then the re-opening of non-essential retailers and hospitality venues has, as would be expected, co-incided with an increase in cash activity albeit the overall level remains subdued.
The graph below shows daily LINK values when compared to previous years – this is not yet updated to reflect the activity post lockdown and thus a similar trend is expected to be reflected in the value of ATM transactions.
Monthly LINK ATM transaction volumes
Source: LINK
Monthly LINK ATM transaction volumes for November were 118 million with the second lockdown impacting activity following a static period over the last 4 months.
Predictions
It was only four weeks (#IOFW) but has this Lockdown period been a crucial time for cash in the UK?
After a short initial surge, how will the various restrictions in Scotland, Northern Ireland, Wales and England impact ATM withdrawals and the use of cash over the final weeks of 2020?
Rolling volume change (compared to 2019):
- w/e 11 October 2020: -34%
- w/e 18 October 2020: -36%
- w/e 25 October 2020: –37%
- w/e 1 November 2020: -38%
- w/e 8 November 2020: -38%
- w/e 15 November: -43%
- w/e 22 November: -43%
- w/e 29 November: -44%
- w/e 6 December: -38%
Rolling value change (compared to 2019):
- w/e 11 October 2020: -26%
- w/e 18 October 2020: -28%
- w/e 25 October 2020: -30%
- w/e 1 November 2020: -30%
- w/e 8 November 2020: -30%
- w/e 15 November: -36%
- w/e 22 November: – 36%
- w/e 29 November: -39%
- w/e 6 December: -29%