ATMIA's First Appearance at Mint and Print Conference a Success

I have just returned from the 6th Edition of the Mint and Print Conference in Dubai, which was a gathering of a number of Central Banks in Africa, Central Asia and Europe, leading providers of fully integrated, secure, durable and well-designed banknotes for central banks all over the world and many leading organisations responsible for security of currency and cash management services.

ATMIA was asked to present on the decreasing number of ATMs globally and what are the risks associated with the decreasing numbers. This was an important theme to present on for many of ATMIA members, as it is clear that overall, decreasing ATM availability and limiting financial inclusion can have wide-ranging negative effects on individuals, businesses, and communities. It's important for policymakers and financial institutions to consider these risks when making decisions about access to banking services.

It was a great to network with the banknote printing industry and better understand how they play a pivotal role in the cash cycle, influencing various aspects of the economy and financial systems.

Next week ATMIA Europe will be in Dublin, Ireland for our inaugural joint Europe and Emerging Markets Conference 2023. The ATMs and Cash Summit 2023 - themed "The Future of ATMs and the Path to Safeguard Access to Cash" - is scheduled for October 18 - 19, 2023, at the Clayton Hotel, Burlington Road, Dublin, Ireland. Anticipate an exhilarating event, drawing payment experts not only from Europe but also from beyond, creating a distinctive platform for shared learning, networking, and valuable experiences.

On Day 2 of the Conference we are excited to be holding an Advocacy Panel.  IT will be an engaging conversation with The Dutch National Bank, European Central Bank and the UK’s LINK network, together with the Fidelity Bank Ghana who will also be on the Panel.  The session will be moderated by John Winchcombe from Reconnaissance International and Editor of Cash & Payment News.

Although the conference's theme is 'The Future of ATMs and Safeguarding Access to Cash', ATMIA's stance is to champion payment choice. It's not a binary decision between cash and digital payments. Both coexist and serve their purposes. Neither is the ultimate payment method.

Panelists will attempt to answer the question - how can ATMIA members embrace and promote both digital and cash payments, and how can they sustain a livelihood from both?

ATMIA members actively engage in cash management within ATM networks. Their primary focus is efficiently providing cash and services through these ATMs to meet the needs of their customers and consumers. Regardless of where you are in the world, the landscape of cash is evolving. While the pace and nature of this change may differ, the status quo is being challenged. The objective of this session is to step back and consider where the industry's focus should lie beyond the usual operations.

So, what are the pivotal issues confronting the industry? What hurdles and opportunities lie ahead? Do we comprehend what's unfolding and why it matters?

Many ATM users rely on cash. How can we assist them? What are their needs? How is this evolving as the world transitions into a digital realm?  Addressing these questions will help to redefine ATMIA's purpose and future focus.

Please do join us for what promises to be an engaging and interactive panel discussion.
The full agenda and registration details are available here.

Cheers,
Sofia Sadiq