Date: For Parliament Sitting on 14 January 2026

Name and Constituency of Member of Parliament

Mr Chua Kheng Wee Louis, Sengkang GRC

Questions

Mr Chua Kheng Wee Louis: To ask the Prime Minister and Minister for Finance (a) what is the current number of automated teller machines (ATMs) in each HDB town; and (b) whether HDB works with banks and other Government agencies to ensure adequate provision of cash withdrawal and deposit facilities within walking distance for existing and new HDB BTO estates.

Mr Chua Kheng Wee Louis: To ask the Prime Minister and Minister for Finance (a) what is the number of (i) off-premise automated teller machines (ATMs) and (ii) bank branches in each of the last 10 years; (b) how does MAS ensure adequate provision of ATMs and banking services through physical bank branches and ATMs; and (c) what are the operational requirements that are prescribed, if any, to banks.

Answer by Mr Gan Kim Yong, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Trade and Industry, and Chairman of MAS:

1 There are currently more than 1,600 off-premise ATMs and over 150 retail branches operated by the three local banks across Singapore. More than 1,200 of the off-premise ATMs are located within HDB towns. Over the past decade, both the number of off-premise ATMs and bank branches have decreased gradually by an average of around 2% annually, as banks rationalise their ATMs and branch network due to customers increasingly adopting online banking and cashless payments. Banks have also deployed more multi-function ATMs, so customers don’t necessarily need to visit branches.

2 MAS tracks the number of ATMs and engages banks to ensure they carefully  consider customers’ ease of access to banking services. Banks consider various factors when siting ATMs and bank branches, including footfall, transaction volume, population density and proximity to public transport nodes. They prioritise locations that are central to residents' daily activities, such as heartland malls and food centres, to enhance convenience for customers. Banks also monitor the URA masterplan and government tenders to identify where to site new bank branches and ATMs.

3 ATMs and bank branches are not the only places where consumers can withdraw cash. Banks also partner retail outlets such as 7-Eleven, Giant, and Sheng Siong to enable customers to withdraw cash from their bank accounts when they make purchases at these locations. These outlets are present in mature and non-mature estates.

4 MAS will continue to work with banks to ensure there is enough ATMs and bank branches for the convenience of customers, and also encourage customers to use digital banking services as an alternative to cash transactions. 

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