New automatic ticket distributors will appear in many French municipalities this year. Good news for the villages, but which could lead to additional costs.
A small revolution is preparing in France in the landscape of automatic ticket distributors (the famous DAB). While access to species is becoming increasingly rare in certain regions, the “Cash Services” project carried by several major banks, aims to redeploy these machines strategically. It is the commercial brand of 2SF (Société des Services Fiduciaries), a joint venture set up in 2022 by BNP Paribas banking groups, Société Générale and Crédit Mutuel Federal Alliance (Crédit Mutuel and CIC). By 2026, nearly 7,000 sites, both in banking agencies and outside agencies, should accommodate these new automata. But behind this modernization hides a detail which must be aware.
The total number of distributors will actually decrease significantly, going from 15,000 to 10,000 machines across the entire network concerned. This reduction is motivated by economic reasons: fewer devices means fewer maintenance costs, supply of tickets and fundraising. The urban areas, where the DAB density is higher, will therefore see the number of distributors decrease, in favor of a redeployment in rural areas, often abandoned by traditional banks. Although this rationalization makes it possible to guarantee access to cash, it is accompanied by a series of drawbacks for users.
If you are a customer of project partner banks, you will have no additional costs when using these new distributors. On the other hand, customers of other banks could be faced with withdrawal costs, especially in rural areas where the choice of automata will be limited. It is therefore crucial to check the conditions of your bank before making a withdrawal to avoid any unpleasant surprises. In general, they authorize between one and three free withdrawals per month in other networks than theirs: beyond, costs apply.
In addition, these distributors will offer new banking services, such as the possibility of making transfers, depositing checks, withdrawing money or making operations. They will also integrate technological innovations, such as facial recognition or contactless withdrawal, aimed at simplifying their use. Advanceds certainly appreciable, but which could conceal additional costs, including for customers of partner establishments, according to the bank card used.
This movement is not unique to large French banks. Specialized companies such as Loomis or Brink’s, as well as unexpected players such as online banks, are also invited into this in full change sector. Distributors designed by these companies could soon appear in small municipalities, with costs for local authorities. Customers will have to redouble vigilance in the face of this new deal.