ATMs: Desjardins analyzes its network across the province

The service distribution network at Desjardins is analyzed by credit unions throughout Quebec. Other closures of service points and ATMs due to changes in members' habits.

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According to Desjardins Group, ATMs represent only 3% of transaction volume. Today transactions over the cash counter account for only 1% of a financial institution's transactions. Members are mostly using online services.

In the past year, several ATMs have been removed in Bas-Saint-Laurent.

In this region, the number of Desjardins ATMs in the territory has increased from 81 in January 2018 to 65 in December 2023. Basse-Saint-Laurent had 66 Desjardins service centers at the beginning of 2018. Currently, there are 38 service points in the lower reaches of the river.

Decisions regarding the transformation of Desjardins' distribution network are made by the funds and their elected boards of directors.

Making decisions depending on the financial institution is difficult, but necessary in relation to the use of services.

“Credit unions, in the next few years, will certainly take action and eliminate ATMs, as they have done in recent years. However, it is still too early to tell how many will be left next year and the year after. If these devices are used, some will be left over. Will there be any left? It's worth watching. On the other hand, we must not forget one thing: Desjardins is the financial institution with the largest presence in Quebec. We are still where some of our competitors are, but we are always close to our communities in important consumption areas,” explained Jean-Benoit Turcotti, spokesperson for the Desjardins movement.

Credit unions ensure that members are supported when service points or ATMs are closed. Alternative solutions are sometimes put in place for members.