Australia's big four banks remove thousands of ATMs and shut down hundreds of branches as the coronavirus crisis pushes nation closer to a cashless society

• At least 2150 ATM terminals removed across Australia in the recent June quarter
• Australia's big four banks shut up a combined 175 branches in the last 12 months
• Sparked by COVID-19 as Australia move closer to becoming a cashless society 
• Opinion divided over branch and ATM closures which will inconvenience elderly

The coronavirus crisis has sparked the closure of a record number of ATMs and hundreds of bank branches as Australia moves closer towards a cashless society.

The number of ATMs across the nation are at their lowest level in 12 years at 25,720, after at least 2150 terminals removed in the recent June quarter, according to the Australian Payments Network.

Australia's big four banks – ANZ, Commonwealth, NAB and Westpac – also shut up a combined 175 branches in the last 12 months. 

The widespread closures have divided public opinion and left 2.5 million elderly Australians who don't do online banking inconvenienced.