Austrian National Bank agrees with the Austrian Association of Municipalities to install up to 120 new rural ATMs

The Austrian National Bank (OeNB) has signed a five-year agreement with the Austrian Association of Municipalities under which the OeNB will provide up to 120 OeNB-owned ATMs to close gaps in Austria’s rural cash-withdrawal network. The initiative targets municipalities without an ATM or a bank branch and is intended to reduce travel distances for cash access, with an increased focus on security standards. The agreement covers installations in municipalities outside the scope of a prior moratorium between the Association of Municipalities and banks, which is intended to prevent bank ATM closures until 31 December 2029. The OeNB reported that there were 329 municipalities in 2024 with neither an ATM nor a bank branch, meaning up to 120 additional devices could reach more than one third of these locations; potential sites are prioritised using criteria including municipality size, current distance to the nearest ATM and available infrastructure. Eligible municipalities will be contacted directly and must provide an appropriate site and ensure requirements such as power supply. Up to 60 ATMs are planned for a first wave, with further installations to follow later. The Austrian Association of Cities indicated it aims to join the arrangement in spring.