ING expands fee-free ATM access across Spain through 740-terminal deal with NCR Atleos

ING Bank N.V. (AMS: INGA) has announced the rollout of more than 740 new automated teller machines (ATMs) across Spain as part of a strategic infrastructure expansion aimed at deepening customer convenience, physical footprint, and brand visibility. The Dutch banking group will offer its Cuenta Nómina customers fee-free cash withdrawals at these terminals, marking one of the largest financial services ATM expansions in Spain this year. The ATM network expansion is being delivered through an operational partnership with financial self-service provider NCR Atleos, under an “ATM as a Service” (ATMaaS) framework.

The phased deployment of these ING-branded ATMs begins in July 2025 and is expected to continue for 12 months, targeting high-density urban locations and transit hubs that align with ING’s 4.4 million customer base in the country. NCR Atleos will be responsible for end-to-end ATM operations including installation, maintenance, cybersecurity, and software updates.

This agreement signals ING’s renewed emphasis on hybrid banking infrastructure in a digital-first age, where physical ATM touchpoints are being optimized rather than abandoned—especially in southern European markets where cash usage remains comparatively resilient.

How does the NCR Atleos partnership help ING improve access to cash for Cuenta Nómina customers in Spain?

The strategic alliance between ING and NCR Atleos represents a material pivot in ING Spain’s approach to financial access. By leveraging NCR Atleos’ global ATMaaS platform, ING customers with Cuenta Nómina accounts will gain access to a larger cash withdrawal network without incurring additional fees—an offering that institutional investors view as critical in reinforcing ING’s value proposition in the retail banking segment.

The American financial self-service technology provider, NCR Atleos, is tasked with delivering a fully outsourced ATM experience. This includes managing all technical, operational, and security elements, effectively allowing ING to scale its national footprint without capital-intensive infrastructure overhead. The service model also ensures rapid response times, hardware consistency, and centralized software updates—all of which contribute to the seamless user experience ING is targeting.

ING’s Director of Payments and Accounts for Spain and Portugal, Alberto Gómez, stated that the initiative aligns with the digital bank’s commitment to a “simple, agile experience” while reinforcing ING’s physical brand presence. According to Gómez, the NCR Atleos collaboration will allow ING to deploy its physical presence strategically at “key points” where customers most need access to cash, such as shopping centers, business districts, and transit nodes.

Why is ATM as a Service (ATMaaS) emerging as a preferred model for digital banks in Europe?

ATMaaS is gaining traction among digital and hybrid banks across Europe due to its asset-light nature and scalability. Unlike traditional ATM ownership models that require banks to invest in hardware procurement, software licensing, cash logistics, and regulatory compliance, ATMaaS solutions allow banks to outsource this entire value chain.

Institutional observers believe the ATMaaS shift mirrors broader trends in cloud-based infrastructure and “as a service” consumption models, where specialized third parties assume operational complexity. For ING, this transition offers not only efficiency gains but also customer stickiness, as fee-free withdrawals remain one of the most tangible benefits of premium accounts like Cuenta Nómina.

For NCR Atleos, the ING engagement strengthens its foothold in Western Europe, which has become a priority growth region. Company executives, including Jimmy Tarazona, Vice President of Global Network Expansion, have emphasized the ability of ATMaaS to help digital banks “define their own experience” while increasing brand presence—an alignment that reflects ING’s hybrid channel strategy.

How does this expansion align with ING’s broader digital banking and hybrid access strategy in Spain?

Although ING operates without a large-scale branch network in Spain, the Dutch banking giant has continued to innovate in hybrid accessibility. The launch of this new ATM network coincides with broader strategic moves to enhance customer engagement through both digital and physical touchpoints.

Institutional investors note that ING’s performance in Spain has consistently outpaced expectations in customer acquisition and retention despite competitive pressure from CaixaBank, Banco Santander, and BBVA. Part of that success is attributed to ING’s agile product ecosystem—centered around the Cuenta Nómina account—which bundles zero-fee services, instant transfers, and customer-centric digital tools.

Adding 740 new ING-branded ATMs across the country complements this ecosystem by providing high-visibility, brand-aligned locations where users can conduct essential transactions without friction. The rollout is expected to particularly benefit customers in metropolitan areas like Madrid, Barcelona, Valencia, and Seville, though rural and suburban deployments are also included in the 12-month implementation roadmap.

By integrating physical convenience with digital agility, ING is positioning itself as a digitally native bank that still acknowledges the enduring relevance of cash—especially in a market where over 60% of small purchases are still made in physical currency, according to Spain’s central bank.

What operational efficiencies and regulatory advantages does NCR Atleos offer ING in this ATM rollout?

From an operational standpoint, NCR Atleos delivers end-to-end ATM lifecycle management, which reduces ING’s need to develop in-house ATM capabilities. This includes real-time monitoring, predictive maintenance, security incident response, and automatic software patching—all of which mitigate operational risk and regulatory non-compliance.

Spain’s financial regulators and the European Central Bank (ECB) maintain high standards for ATM infrastructure, particularly related to anti-money laundering (AML), cyber hygiene, and availability metrics. NCR Atleos’ ATMaaS platform is designed to comply with these stringent requirements out of the box, allowing ING to meet its obligations while minimizing administrative overhead.

Additionally, as part of its sustainability commitments, NCR Atleos incorporates energy-efficient terminals and e-waste minimization protocols in its deployment strategy, which aligns with ING’s ESG reporting targets in Europe.

For ING, the agreement also creates back-end flexibility. By not owning the machines, ING can scale up or down depending on shifts in customer behavior, such as increased use of mobile payments or demand fluctuations in tourist-heavy zones.

What is the institutional sentiment on ING’s physical network expansion in the context of European banking trends?

Institutional sentiment remains cautiously optimistic. While the broader trend across European banking favors digitalization and branch consolidation, ING’s selective expansion into ATM infrastructure is seen as a calculated move that reflects Spain’s unique consumer banking landscape. Analysts suggest that the initiative will enhance customer loyalty and address regulatory expectations around financial inclusion, especially for underserved populations and rural users.

Moreover, NCR Atleos’ ability to offer economies of scale through multi-client deployments enables ING to avoid sunk costs while maintaining strategic optionality. Investors have also noted that the ATMaaS model allows ING to trial experimental deployment zones and adjust quickly based on transaction volumes—something traditional banks struggle with due to legacy ATM ownership structures.

ING’s shares (AMS: INGA) have remained stable in recent weeks, but some institutional holders view this ATM initiative as a modest tailwind in the long term, particularly if it translates into increased customer retention, cross-selling opportunities, and reduced churn from physical service limitations.

What is the future outlook for ATM deployment and physical access in European banking?

Looking ahead, analysts expect more European banks to embrace ATMaaS partnerships as a way to extend reach without inflating operating costs. While cash transactions continue to decline in parts of Northern Europe, countries like Spain, Italy, and Portugal maintain strong cash cultures, especially among older and rural populations.

For ING, the Spanish deployment could serve as a model for similar rollouts in adjacent markets where physical cash access remains relevant but underserved. NCR Atleos, meanwhile, is likely to use this flagship deal to further its presence across the eurozone, especially among digital banks and neobanks seeking to expand their physical touchpoints.

In the medium term, ING’s hybrid model—anchored by app-first digital banking and augmented by targeted ATM presence—could offer a blueprint for banks navigating the paradox of digital convenience and physical accessibility. If successful, this could catalyze similar partnerships across ING’s other European markets, especially in Belgium and Germany.