South Africa's Reserve Bank ATM plan meets polite silence

South Africa's Reserve Bank plans to white-label the country's ATMs, starting a pilot in January, and to launch a national cash utility owned by the central bank by March 2027. Banks and cash operators confirm they are engaging in consultations but decline to disclose their submissions.

• White-label ATM pilot starts in January; cash utility due by March 2027
• Every ATM must accept deposits and withdrawals, with small transactions free
• SBV is owned by Absa, FirstRand, Nedbank and Standard Bank
• Reserve Bank will formally respond to industry submissions in November