Belgian Competition Authority Concludes Inquiry into Batopin Network of Cash Dispensers and Secures Binding Commitments from Banks
- 25/03/2025
- News
The Belgian Competition Authority (BCA) accepted commitments from Belgium’s four major banks to expand their network of cash dispensers run by their joint venture company by the name of Batopin and maintain adequate service levels (see, today’s attached press release). The BCA thus closed an investigation which it started in April 2022 and which had already resulted in a less ambitious agreement between the banking association Febelfin and the federal government in March 2023 (the Initial Public Agreement or IPA) (see, VBB Belgian Antitrust Watch of 3 May 2024).
Riding on a wave of public and political discontent, the BCA forced the banks (Belfius, BNP Paribas Fortis, ING, and KBC) to improve on the promises which they had made in the IPA by adding 70 new cash dispenser sites by the end of 2027. These outlets will form a further layer on top of the 220 additional sites pledged in the IPA. As a result of the combined efforts of the federal government and the BCA, the banks will thus add 290 sites to the 750 outlets initially planned. Furthermore, the banks guarantee the presence of the cash dispensers in the municipalities covered by the current location plan until 2030. This will translate in coverage that enables 95% of Belgian residents to withdraw cash and 85% to deposit cash within a 5 km distance by road of their residence. In terms of quality of access, the banks will ensure at least 95% network availability, indicate the nearest site in case of unavailability, and maintain 24/7 access, subject to limited exceptions.
The banks’ commitments are binding, and the BCA will monitor their implementation and ensure compliance. The BCA thus chose to secure tangible results for consumers and expressly refrained from passing judgment on the legality of the Batopin joint venture company, the arrangements made by the banks under the umbrella of Batopin, and the IPA.
