:quality(80)/cdn-kiosk-api.telegraaf.nl/8e14b906-eaca-11eb-99eb-02c309bc01c1.jpg?fit=%2C&ssl=1 "Closing bank branches puts elderly and disabled people in a bind | Money")
This is the conclusion of De Nederlandsche Bank (DNB), in a study it conducted for the Social Consultation on Payments (MOB).
When asked about their satisfaction with banking and payment services, vulnerable groups gave banks a score of 7.5 in 2016. But now that is a 7.1. In 2016, there were almost twice as many bank branches as there are now, and one and a half times as many ATMs.
Lower than a 7
However, some vulnerable groups give the bank a 6.5. It is the first time since 2007 that the score is lower than a 7. Only half of some vulnerable groups are able to conduct their banking independently.
People without internet, people over 65, people with low digital skills and people with walking difficulties are much less able to manage their banking independently than in 2016.
On the other hand, the deaf, the visually impaired and people with a mild intellectual disability succeed better, they say.
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Non-vulnerable
The satisfaction of non-vulnerable groups has increased in the past five years, from 7.6 to 7.7. 89% of them can manage their banking without help.
The vast majority of Dutch people (99.5%) still have an ATM at a maximum distance of 5 kilometers from their place of residence. It is becoming more complicated for retailers to deposit cash. Accessibility has decreased from 97.18% in 2016 to 93.51% in 2020.
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DFT Money
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