Last year, the average individual visited cash machines only 15 times, as reported by Link, the ATM network operator. The typical cash withdrawal from ATMs in 2025 amounted to £1,352, showing a 5% decline from the £1,424 average withdrawal in 2024. Collectively, individuals aged 16 and above made 832 million cash withdrawals in the past year, marking a roughly 9% decrease compared to 2024 figures.
According to Link, ATMs were the primary source of cash withdrawals in the UK, surpassing cashback and counter transactions at various financial establishments. The research conducted by Link revealed a trend where people are reducing their ATM visits but withdrawing larger sums of money on each occasion.
Northern Ireland retained its status as the region with the highest cash withdrawals in the UK, with an average of £2,249 withdrawn in 2025. Conversely, the south west of England had the lowest average consumer withdrawal at £974, marking the first instance in Link’s data where the average dipped below £1,000 in any region.
In other financial news, the Nationwide Building Society reported a 0.3% recovery in average house prices last month following a decline in December. Annually, house prices saw a 1% increase in January, bringing the average house price to £270,873. Nationwide’s chief economist, Robert Gardner, expressed optimism about the housing market’s potential recovery in the upcoming quarters, especially if the positive affordability trend from the previous year continues.
Gold and silver prices experienced a rapid decline from their record highs in response to US President Donald Trump’s nomination for the next Federal Reserve chairman. Gold prices dropped by 7% to slightly over $4,500 per troy ounce in early Monday trading, while silver plummeted by 13% to $74. The sell-off was triggered by Trump’s selection of former Fed governor Kevin Warsh to succeed current chairman Jerome Powell upon the conclusion of his term in May. This decision calmed investor fears, leading to a rise in the US dollar’s strength but causing a decrease in demand for safe-haven assets like gold and silver.
On Friday, silver prices had fallen by nearly 30%, and gold experienced its most significant single-day drop since 1983, declining by over 9%. Both gold and silver had been on a record-breaking rally as investors sought shelter amidst global geopolitical uncertainties, conflicts, and trade concerns.