The Deputy Prime Minister plans to propose a legislative initiative to guarantee citizens the ability to use cash payments in all businesses. He expressed concern over the increasing complaints and the refusal of the SNCB to accept cash payments. He believes that the initiative will have the support of the majority parties. During the questioning by Vanessa Matz, Reccino Van Lommel, and Gaby Colebunders about the agreement between the government and the financial sector federation Febelfin, Ms. Matz called to audition associations such as Financité, Test-Achats, or even Okra. However, Pierre-Yves Dermagne defended himself, stating that the protocol provides a marked improvement in the coverage rate compared to the situation at the end of 2021. The SNCB press service sent details stipulating that it accepts cash payments on several sales channels, but the carrier will no longer accept cash payments on board trains from May 1 for security reasons.
“There was no consensus in government. Now the complaints are increasing. We see that even the SNCB refuses payment in cash. It therefore seems appropriate to me to come back with a legislative initiative in this area. I will soon return to government with an initiative on this subject and, from what I have heard, I am convinced that it will have the support of the majority parties,” he said. “We cannot on the one hand ask for more ATMs, but then not want to guarantee that citizens can use their cash in all businesses. »
The Deputy Prime Minister was questioned by Vanessa Matz (Les Engagés), Reccino Van Lommel (Vlaams Belang) and Gaby Colebunders (PTB) about the agreement concluded on March 31 between the government and the financial sector federation Febelfin concerning the distribution of ATMs in the territory.
“It’s a capitulation in the open country in relation to the banks”, launched Ms. Matz, calling to audition associations such as Financité, Test-Achats or even Okra (defense of seniors). “Banks do as they please. This slightly modified version (of the project called ‘Batopin’, editor’s note) will only worsen the situation”, added Mr. Colebunders.
Pierre-Yves Dermagne challenged these analyses. “A marked improvement in the coverage rate compared to the situation at the end of 2021 is provided for by the protocol, particularly in Wallonia”, he defended himself. “We will go from 79.52% of the population within 5 km of a distributor by road in rural areas in 2021 to 81.99% in 2025, and this despite the drop in 2022. (…) Concretely, then that the initial plan for the sector, provided for 2,162 locations and 3,774 ATMs in 2025, with the protocol, these are 2,369 locations and 4,061 ATMs until at least the end of 2027.
Following the Minister’s remarks about cash payments for train tickets, the SNCB press service sent Belga details stipulating that the carrier accepts “cash payments on several of its sales channels”. . But, such regulations will indeed no longer be accepted “on board trains” from May 1 “for security reasons”.
The issue of cash payments and the distribution of ATMs in Belgium continues to be a hot topic, with Deputy Prime Minister Pierre-Yves Dermagne defending the government’s agreement with the financial sector federation Febelfin. However, complaints about lack of access to cash and restrictions on cash payments are increasing, prompting Dermagne to announce his intention to introduce a legislative initiative on the subject. While the government claims that there will be an improvement in ATM coverage, critics argue that the situation is getting worse, and that banks are doing as they please. As the debate rages on, it remains to be seen if the government’s proposed initiative will have the support it needs to become law.