The Austrian National Bank reported that, one year into its nationwide cash access initiative, the opening of an OeNB ATM in Güttenbach has increased the number of active machines to 66 and improved access to cash for more than 80,000 people in previously underserved municipalities. The program is focused on rural and other underserved areas, and all 66 ATMs installed so far have been placed in municipalities that previously had no ATM. Since July 2025, the central bank has installed on average more than one cash dispenser a week. In Güttenbach, the average distance residents had to travel to the nearest ATM fell from 4.4 kilometers to 0.6 kilometers after the new machine was installed. The OeNB said the initiative is intended to preserve choice between cash and digital payments while closing local service gaps, with local retailers, associations, restaurants, service providers and households benefiting from nearby cash access. The Austrian National Bank plans to continue the rollout and aims to expand the network to as many as 120 OeNB cash dispensers by the end of 2026. Separately, banks have agreed with the Austrian Association of Municipalities to safeguard their existing cash dispenser locations.
Austrian National Bank (OeNB)2026-07-06
Austrian National Bank opens 66th ATM and extends cash access to more than 80000 people
The Austrian National Bank said its cash access initiative has reached 66 OeNB ATMs, bringing improved cash access to more than 80,000 people in previously underserved municipalities. All machines have been installed in locations that previously had no ATM, and the central bank aims to expand the network to as many as 120 by the end of 2026.