The Bank of France will "never abandon" cash

"The Bank of France will never abandon cash (...), access to cash is a central right of our citizens," said Mr. Villeroy de Galhau, when questioned about the gradual disappearance of ATMs during a hearing by the Finance Committee of the National Assembly.

The number of ATMs has decreased by 1.500 in 2024, according to the latest figures from the Bank of France, due to ongoing cost-cutting plans by banking networks.

The decline in the presence of banks on the ground is "a point that definitely needs to be monitored," the governor said.

The number of ATM and bank teller withdrawals is also trending downwards. The French made just over 1,1 billion withdrawals in 2024, 4,3% fewer than in 2023 and 7,1% fewer than in 2022.

The average amount withdrawn from ATMs, however, has been trending upwards for several years. It reached 126 euros in 2024, compared to 82 euros in 2014, according to a Bank of France bulletin published last summer entitled "Let's Talk Cash".

The share of cash payments at points of sale (supermarkets, restaurants, hairdressers, etc.) fell behind that of bank cards in France for the first time last year, according to a study published at the end of 2024 by the European Central Bank (ECB).

Last May, Justice Minister Gérald Darmanin mentioned the "end of cash" as one of the solutions to combat drug trafficking.

Furthermore, when questioned by members of parliament about the rules governing access to mortgage credit (maximum term of 25 years, limitation to 35% of the share of income to be devoted to monthly repayment, etc.), Mr. Villeroy de Galhau indicated that there was "no reason today" to amend them.