Weekly ATM value and volume figures 13 December 2020.
Key observations for week ending 13 December:
- Last week ATM transactions increased by just 0.1 million (when compared to the previous week).
- Last week’s ATM transactions were 17.4 million less than the equivalent week in 2019.
- Weekly ATM use has reduced by 36% (compared to equivalent week in 2019).
Weekly LINK ATM transaction volumes
The latest figures from LINK show the continued effect of the UK’s increasing digital payment habits and the easing of the latest national lockdown on ATM and cash use.
Last week saw a total of 30.7 million ATM transactions which represents an increase of just 0.1 million ATM transactions over last week, suggesting usage has stabilised following the initial increase seen following the easing of the national lockdown.
This is still a reduction of 17.4 million transactions when compared with the equivalent week last year which represents a slight closing of the gap although this is due to a fall in volume for the same week in 2019 rather than a significant further increase in 2020.
Source: LINK
Source: LINK
Weekly LINK ATM transaction volumes
Source: LINK
Last week ATM volumes reduced by 36% (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.
This is now updated to show the impact just as Lockdown 2.0 was ending – showing an upward trend and then levelling out back at the levels seen prior to the local lockdowns in October.
The following weeks will continue to be of interest as we see how today’s Tier 3 announcement, seasonal purchases and the easing of restrictions over the festive period impact cash transactions across the country. An increase in access to cash, with ATMs opening that had been closed over Lockdown 2.0, may also have an impact.
Source: LINK
This latest chart from LINK now tracks volume (blue) and value (red) – and we will continue to track the impact of Lockdown 2.0 on our cash and digital payment habits over the final weeks of the year.
Daily ATM Volumes
Source: LINK
With the ending of national lockdowns on 2 December as expected an increase in usage has been seen with the reduction compared to 2019 at 32% rather than 50% in the final week of lockdown.
Poor weather perhaps contributed to this increasing again to a reduction of 42% over 2019 during the first weekend post lockdown.
A subsequent increase in activity in 2020 coupled with a slight fall in 2019 leaves the latest reduction at 30% – still a substantial difference compared with 2019.
Thus the impact on cash usage can still be seen from the ongoing impact of local lockdowns and sticky digital payment habits developed over the course of this year.
Source: LINK
The graph above shows daily LINK values when compared to previous years – as expected, post lockdown, a similar trend is reflected in the value of ATM transactions.
The trend is following that seen in previous years but at a markedly reduced level.
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
Lockdown 2.0 was only four weeks (#IOFW) and therefore although perhaps not long enough to cause a further shift in behaviour, it does appear to have reinforced the habits developed during the year with cash usage back to pre-second lockdown levels but no higher despite seasonal spikes seen at this time in previous years.
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 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%
- w/e 13 December: -36%
Rolling value change (compared to 2019):
- 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%
- w/e 13 December: -28%
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