Chiswick ATM Sees Country's Largest Increase in Withdrawals

Surge in usage of Nationwide machine since other banks closed

The Nationwide cash machine on Chiswick High Road. Picture: ChiswickW4.com

January 14, 2025

Figures have been released by Nationwide showing that its cash machine on Chiswick High Road showed the biggest increase in withdrawals of any in its network last year.

The number of times money was taken out of people’s accounts increased by 151% and the ATM in Chiswick was one of only two where the level doubled over the year. This compares with a national average increase of 4%

The unusually large increase is being attributed to the closure of other nearby bank branches and their ATMs including Nat West and Lloyds. Withdrawals from Nationwide machines by non-customers has increased by 16%

Overall there were 33 million withdrawals as the usage of cash continue to increase with the third annual rise in a row. Nationwide believes this recent surge comes as many people opt for cash to budget at a time the cost of living remains high.

Britain’s biggest building society has 1260 ATMs at its 605 branches last year – a 10per cent increase on 2023. The average amount of cash taken out on each withdrawal from Nationwide ATMs was £112 last year. 

Prior to 2022, the number of cash withdrawals at Nationwide had been steadily declining from its 2014 peak. This fall was most pronounced when the pandemic struck, when withdrawals dropped by more than 40 per cent in a year.

ATM usage has also risen due to bank branch closures, which has seen free services being removed from high streets up and down the country. 

Nationwide has reaffirmed its commitment to communities by continuing to offer face-to-face service, with its Branch Promise meaning everywhere it has a branch; it will remain until at least 2028.

Many areas where Nationwide is now the last branch in town have also seen sizable increases, including Henley-on-Thames, Cupar, Fife and Bromborough, Merseyside.

Andrew McAllister, branch manager at Nationwide in Chiswick, said, “Nationwide’s branch promise means that everywhere we have a branch, we’re there to stay until at least the start of 2028. Demand for our ATM services has risen by more than 150 per cent in a year as others have closed their bank branches. We’re one of the last remaining branches in Chiswick, and it’s clear that local people still value face-to-face service.”

Otto Benz, Director of Payments at Nationwide Building Society, said,  “The rising cost of living continues to impact people and many are opting to budget with physical money to avoid getting into debt. Nationwide has the largest branch network in the UK, which allows us to support customers who want access to cash, whether that be from our ATMs or over the counter. The major banks have closed branches in towns and cities across the country taking away many of the free ATMs that people rely on, which is why the biggest rise in withdrawals comes from non-Nationwide customers. The resurgence of cash shows why we need to continue having a physical presence on the high street, enabling customers to access their money on their terms, whether digitally or in branch.”