Monetary policy Swiss Post and SIX discuss joint operation of ATMs
What value does cash still have in Switzerland and what should the cash supply look like in the future? These and other questions on the subject of cash were discussed by the federal government together with representatives of the Swiss National Bank (SNB) and the business community on Friday.
21.11.2025, 16:50
SDA
Among other things, the discussion focused on the operation of ATMs throughout Switzerland. The stock exchange operator SIX and Swiss Post could work together on this in the future.
"Swiss Post and the SIX Group will examine in depth and with an open mind whether joint pooling for the nationwide operation of ATMs makes sense," said SIX spokesperson Stephan Meier on Friday afternoon at the request of the news agency AWP. The basic idea of the pooling model is to combine ATMs into a nationwide network, in particular to make cash withdrawals more efficient.
The aim of the pooling model is to pool the strengths of banks and other financial institutions in the provision of cash at ATMs, reduce overcapacity and thus secure access to cash - everywhere in Switzerland, explained Meier. Recently, both Swiss Post and SIX had positioned themselves to be able to offer cash supply via such an ATM network from a single source.
SNB coordinates group of experts
In spring 2024, however, a group of experts on "Access to cash" headed by the SNB began its work and drew up guidelines on this topic. These serve as guidelines for infrastructure operators to ensure that access to cash is maintained even in the event of declining use and that there is no uncoordinated dismantling of the cash infrastructure, the SNB states in its communication on the "round table".
SIX and Swiss Post had taken on board the results of the expert group on how the cash access network could be further developed, it continued. A concept study had been drawn up by the two major providers of cash withdrawals, which examined the joint use of cash access points by various providers (pooling). The SNB is contributing its expertise and coordinating the exchange between the parties involved.
What next for cash on public transport?
According to the press release, another point of discussion at the round table was the acceptance of cash on public transport. Based on the assumption in the public transport industry that up to 90 percent of travelers will buy their tickets digitally in the long term, the SNB stated that the options for paying for tickets with cash would be reduced.
However, as part of the public service, public transport must be open to all. The federal government and transport companies are aware of this responsibility, as they emphasized at the round table. The public transport industry is working on pragmatic solutions so that travelers without a smartphone or credit card can also use public transport.
Around 50 representatives from the federal government, the SNB, banks, cash-in-transit companies, service providers, the retail trade and business and consumer associations took part in the second round table discussion initiated by the Federal Council, according to the statement. National and international developments in the use, supply and access to cash were discussed in specialist presentations.
