Committee of Supply 2026 debate, Day 1: Louis Chua on provision of ATMs and video teller machines, mandating acceptance of cash

There were 158 million ATM withdrawals in 2024 despite the proliferation of digital payments, strongly suggesting that demand for cash and ATM services continue to be resilient and important to Singaporeans, said MP Louis Chua in parliament on Thursday (Feb 26). He called for the Monetary Authority of Singapore, HDB and banks to collaborate and actively identify underserved communities in existing and future HDB towns, to ensure that there are banking facilities within easy reach. He also called for the government to mandate that physical merchants accept cash payments.