The banks Belfius, BNP Paribas Fortis, ING and KBC founded Batopin in 2020 to roll out ATMs jointly and spread across Belgium, while closing down their own machines. The first Cash points opened their doors at the end of 2021, and there are now 400 locations with a total of around a thousand ATMs.
By the end of next year Batopin have set up all planned 970 Cash points with 2,510 machines, spread across 503 of the 581 municipalities. It has already concluded rental contracts for 150 additional locations, but the company is still looking for suitable places for 420 locations.
In West Flanders, the batopin points are already under construction in De Haan, Wielsbeke, Zonnebeke, Ruiselede, Koekelare and Oostkamp. Suitable premises are still being sought in many other locations.
By now clearly indicating where it is still looking for suitable places, he hopes Batopin also easier to find landlords. “Finding suitable properties remains a challenge,” says Ghysel. “They have to meet a range of requirements around safety, size and parking nearby, but the big challenge is often finding properties that are accessible to people with reduced mobility or that we can make accessible.”