By Helena Müller, VP Banking Europe, Diebold Nixdorf
By Helena Müller, VP Banking Europe, Diebold Nixdorf
Banks around the world are embracing sustainability with increasing enthusiasm. From offering carbon-neutral banking products to investing in green bonds, financial institutions are aligning themselves with the environmental priorities of regulators and customers alike. However, while digital transformation has been at the forefront of the innovation stage, one essential element seems to have been forgotten by financial institutions: using ATMs as a differentiating component of their sustainability strategies.
With more than 3.5 million ATMs in service globally, the ATM network represents one of the banking system’s most widespread and constantly active elements. Yet it is often overlooked when it comes to sustainability strategies. In truth, the ATM holds untapped potential to help banks reduce their environmental footprint, enhance operational efficiency, and meet their sustainability goals.
Modern ATMs are far from their energy-intensive predecessors. New generations of intelligent machines are designed with sustainability at their core. Energy-efficient LED lighting, low-consumption displays, advanced sleep modes, and components engineered for longevity are now standard in the latest models. These enhancements can cut energy consumption by 30% to 60% compared to older units.
In addition, the introduction of cash recycling functionalities enables ATMs to not only dispense but also deposit and reuse banknotes within the same device. This significantly reduces the number of cash-in-transit visits required to replenish cash, lowering fuel consumption and associated emissions. In some cases, cash recycling can cut transport-related visits in half.
Remote monitoring and diagnostics also play a critical role. Banks can proactively identify issues and perform software updates or troubleshooting without dispatching technicians—saving time, reducing vehicle emissions, and ensuring uptime for consumers.
In short, the modern ATM is no longer just a cash-dispensing box; it is an integrated system with real potential to contribute to a bank's sustainability KPIs.
As branches become fewer, smaller and more digital, ATMs play a growing role in bridging the gap between online banking and physical access. ATMs remain a lifeline for many customers—especially those in rural or underserved areas. By deploying energy-efficient, multifunctional ATMs, banks can downsize their branches without sacrificing service. Fewer staff, smaller premises, lower energy bills, 24/7 service availability—it all adds up.
Banks that incorporate these modern ATMs into their ESG roadmaps can take credit not only for digital inclusion and customer convenience, but also for real, quantifiable reductions in emissions and waste. In this context, the ATM becomes an enabler of responsible innovation and reliable service to end users.
Sustainability isn’t just a checkbox anymore. Investors, regulators, and consumers are all paying attention—and demanding more than good intentions. ESG disclosures are becoming more detailed, and the pressure is on to demonstrate real action.
ATMs might not be top-of-mind when building a sustainability strategy, but they should be. Machine-level data—like energy consumption, lifecycle performance, or service frequency—can enrich ESG reporting and offer a more complete picture of a bank’s environmental efforts. Plus, there’s a reputational payoff. A branch that features modern, recycling-enabled ATMs sends a clear message: this is a bank that cares about innovation and sustainability.
Moreover, consumers are paying attention. A branch outfitted with low-energy equipment and recycling-enabled ATMs sends a powerful message about the bank's values and long-term vision.
As banks continue to evolve, they need to rethink what innovation really means. It’s not just about flashy apps or AI-driven customer service. Sometimes, it’s about quietly improving the basics—like the ATM.
To do so, banks should rethink the role of ATMs and start recognizing them as agile tools in the sustainability transition. Partnering with the right technology providers—those who prioritize energy efficiency, remote servicing, and sustainable design—can make a measurable difference.
In a sector striving for both trust and transformation, the ATM might just be the most unexpected ally in the race to net zero and end user satisfaction.
Helena Müller, VP Banking Europe, Diebold Nixdorf
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