South Africa’s central bank has unveiled a proposal to place every ATM in the country under a single national cash utility, creating a white‑label network that would serve customers of all banks by 2028.
**What is a white‑label ATM?**
A white‑label ATM carries no bank branding and is owned by a neutral entity. Under the model outlined in the [Cash Smart presentation](https://www.resbank.co.za/content/dam/sarb/what-we-do/banknotes- and-coin/cash-smart/cash-smart-lekgotla.pdf) released in May 2026, all machines – including those currently located inside bank branches – would be owned by the newly created National Cash Utility and display its logo. Some machines would be operated directly by the utility, others by independent concessionaires, and a few by service firms contracted to meet the utility’s standards. Cash‑in‑transit companies would continue to service the machines if they satisfy the utility’s requirements.
**Why is the [South Africa’s Reserve Bank](https://www.resbank.co.za) pushing a single network?**
The bank’s position paper, *Towards a Cash‑Smart Society*, estimates that cash handling costs the nation about R90 billion each year – roughly R1,400 per person based on Stats SA’s mid‑2026 population estimate of 63.5 million. The paper breaks the cost composition as follows: fees (35 %), time spent travelling for cash (31 %), travel expenses (14 %), losses including crime (13 %), retailer cash access (4 %), and the opportunity cost of holding cash (3 %).
According to the Reserve Bank, the current system forces each bank to maintain its own ATM network, leading to duplicated infrastructure in high‑traffic areas and severe coverage gaps in rural regions. The proposed single network aims to eliminate duplicate machines, reduce cash‑in‑transit expenses, curb ATM‑related crime, and remove “disloyalty fees” charged when customers use another bank’s ATM.
**When will the transition happen?**
- **2026:** Conduct an assessment of costs, distances, and cash‑desert locations, and draft a transition plan.
- **2027:** Finalise the white‑label blueprint, fund the utility, and begin moving ATMs under its control. A draft industry rulebook is expected in January, with consultation running from January to May and a final version due in June.
- **2028:** Complete migration of all ATMs to the white‑label standard.
- **2029:** Adjust the network by adding or relocating machines to address underserved or overserved areas.
**Will ATM fees disappear?**
The presentation does not provide a definitive answer. It states that costs will be recovered from card‑issuing banks, with an emphasis on “affordability and transparency, not transaction‑level customer charges.” This suggests a potential reduction in per‑withdrawal fees, but no fee schedule has been published and banks will have the opportunity to comment during the consultation phase.
**What remains unknown?**
Key details such as the exact price per withdrawal, the willingness of banks to cede ownership of their existing machines, and the fate of bank‑specific ATM features have not been disclosed. The Reserve Bank has pledged consumer education and uninterrupted service throughout the transition.
For now, nothing changes at the machines. Customers should continue using their bank’s mobile apps to locate in‑network ATMs and stay alert for the draft rulebook expected early in 2027. If you rely on mobile money, consider reviewing our guide on protecting against SIM‑swap fraud.