Britons are using more cash, Nationwide data shows

Nationwide reports ATM withdrawals from its machines rose to £4.2bn in 2025 with nearly 35 million withdrawals, while LINK data shows total withdrawals from its network fell to £76.7bn and transactions declined to 1.27bn.

Nationwide Building Society says cash withdrawals from its ATMs reached £4.2 billion in 2025, the highest level since 2017. The society recorded nearly 35 million withdrawals from its 1,270 machines, six percent more than in 2024, and an increase in the average withdrawal to £120. Nationwide links higher ATM use to closures of rival bank branches and has pledged to keep all its branches open until 2030. At the same time, national figures from the LINK ATM network point to a longer-term fall in overall cash withdrawals and transactions. Key figures: - Nationwide: £4.2bn withdrawn from its ATMs in 2025, exceeding the previous peak in 2017. - Usage: Nearly 35 million withdrawals from 1,270 Nationwide ATMs in 2025, up 6% on 2024; average withdrawal rose from £113 to £120. - Branch change: Nationwide says its ATM footfall has risen as some rival banks close branches; Which? reports 6,626 bank branch closures since January 2015. - LINK network: £76.7bn withdrawn via LINK ATMs in 2025, with 1.27bn transactions, a 4% fall in value and an 8% fall in transactions compared with 2024. - Regional rises: Nationwide recorded notable increases in withdrawal counts in East Anglia & Essex (up 15%), The Shires (up 12%) and South London (up 9%). Summary: Nationwide’s data shows rising use of its ATMs and larger average withdrawals in 2025, while LINK’s national figures point to a decline in overall ATM value and transactions. The contrast highlights local increases around Nationwide machines amid a longer-term reduction in branch and ATM numbers elsewhere. Undetermined at this time.