Johannesburg – Absa is overhauling its branch, ATM and self-service network in South Africa as customers increasingly shift routine banking transactions to digital and automated channels.
According to MyBroadband, Absa said the modernisation programme will give customers more ways to access banking services through branches, ATMs, self-service devices, retail partnerships and future banking agency initiatives.
“In-branch routine transactions will increasingly be supported through digital, ATM, and self-service channels,” the bank said.
The shift is intended to allow branches to focus more on advice and assistance, while customers use automated channels for everyday services such as cash withdrawals and deposits, payments, transfers, balance enquiries and card-related services.
Absa said about 90% of deposits are now processed through ATMs and self-service devices, compared with 2019. It also stressed that cash services would remain available at selected branches, particularly in communities and businesses where cash remains important.
Pieter Van Eeden, Absa’s managing executive for integrated channels, said the bank wanted to expand customers’ access to services rather than simply remove physical banking facilities.
“Our objective is to expand access to banking by providing customers with a broader range of convenient services across branches, self-service channels, ATMs, and partner locations,” he said.
More cashless branches
The changes follow a broader move by South African banks towards cashless and digitally led banking.
Business Day reported in August that Absa had increased its cashless branches from 122 to 215, with plans to eventually expand this model to 456 branches. The bank’s traditional branches had fallen by 18% to 359, while its ATM network stood at 4,976.
Absa CEO Kenny Fihla said cash-dispensing branches were substantially more expensive to operate.
“We are changing the nature of our branches, moving away from cash branches into more sales consulting-driven kinds of branches,” Fihla said.
Despite the shift, Absa has said its overall physical footprint is not simply being eliminated. Absa’s 2025 results showed that its branch count increased marginally to 566, while its ATM network declined by 2% to 5,016 devices.
The bank has also been expanding the range of services available through ATMs. Absa’s ATM network supports services including cash deposits and withdrawals, payments, transfers, prepaid purchases, statements and selected card services.
The changes form part of a wider banking-sector shift towards digital services, driven by changing customer behaviour, declining cash usage and the costs and security risks associated with maintaining physical cash infrastructure.
MyBroadband reported that the five largest banks had recorded a 12% decline in ATM numbers between 2020 and 2025, although some banks are replacing older machines with upgraded self-service and cash-recycling devices.
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Compiled by Betha Madhomu
