Despite the rapid adoption of digital wallets, contactless payments, and real-time payment options, ATM usage remains an important part of consumers’ everyday banking habits. Cash continues to play a meaningful role in the U.S. payments ecosystem, with many consumers relying on ATMs not only to withdraw cash but also to make deposits and manage routine banking needs. Understanding how different demographic groups use ATMs provides valuable insight for financial institutions as they optimize branch strategies, self-service technologies, and cash management services.
Recent consumer research on ATM usage highlights notable differences across age groups and genders, demonstrating that cash access remains particularly important for younger consumers. These findings offer financial institutions a clearer picture of evolving consumer preferences and reinforce that ATMs continue to serve as a critical touchpoint, even as digital payment adoption accelerates. Monitoring these trends can help banks, credit unions, and ATM operators better align their services with changing customer behaviors.
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Data for today’s episode is provided by Mercator Advisory Group’s Report: North American PaymentsInsights, U.S.: Data Summary Report; ATM Usage and Preferences
ATM Visits for Cash Vary by Age and Gender in the U.S.:
- A Mercator Advisory Group survey of 3,000 U.S. consumers found that respondents’ top reason for visiting an ATM is to get cash.
- Overall, consumers reported an average of 4.4 ATM visits per month to get cash.
- Men visited ATMs to get cash an average of 5.7 times per month, versus an average of 3.3 visits for women.
- Young adults (18-34) visited ATMs to get cash an average of 7.1 times per month, versus an average of 1.5 visits for adults 55+.
- Overall, consumers reported an average of 2.8 ATM visits per month to deposit cash.
- Overall, consumers visited ATMs to deposit cash an average of 2.8 times per month.
- Young adults (18-24) deposited cash at an ATM an average of 4.7 times per month, compared to 0.5 times per month for consumers 55+.
About Report
Mercator Advisory Group’s most recent report, North American PaymentsInsights, U.S.: Data Summary Report; ATM Usage and Preferences documents consumers’ current usage metrics of ATMs in the U.S. national market. The survey of 3,000 U.S. adults (December 2020) represents a continuation of a series of consumer and business surveys conducted annually by Mercator Advisory Group since 2009.
This Data Summary Report presents the survey results for U.S. consumers’ use of ATMs, through commonly-used graphs with core demographic breakdowns, for easy incorporation in planning/analysis documents. This is just one of multiple Data Summary and Analysis Reports on the United States for program subscribers from this survey, on topics including Buy Now, Pay Later lending, bill payment, subscription buying, fraud experiences, and effects of the COVID-19 pandemic.
“These survey results provide up-to-date baseline data for financial institutions and other stakeholders serving the U.S. market,” stated Amy Dunckelmann, Vice President, Research Operations at Mercator Advisory Group. “The U.S. continues as a dynamic market for the ATM industry.”
