Project to bring financial services closer to rural areas
The new ATM installed in front of Cumbres de Enmedio City Hall, Huelva Provincial Council was launched to provide financial services to 38 rural and urban centers in the state. The initiative was developed in partnership with city councils and the private sector and aims to ensure that all citizens have access to essential services without having to travel.
Chairman of the prefectural assembly; david toscanoemphasized at the inauguration that the measure responds to questions of justice and equity, saying, “It’s about bringing basic services closer to all of our citizens, no matter where they live. Equality between communities starts with having access to the same things no matter where they live.”
Previously, residents of Cumbres de Enmedio had to travel to nearby towns such as Cumbres Mayores and Cumbres de San Bartolomé to withdraw cash or pay their bills. In some cases, the cost of the trip can be more than the procedure itself, a situation the state Legislature has described as “unacceptable.”
Symbol against depopulation
ATM installation is not just a technical endeavor. it is, Depopulation This affects many municipalities in the Andalucía region. Cumbres de Enmedio, with a population of just 61 people, is a clear example. Although its population has increased slightly in the last decade, it remains the second least populated municipality in Andalusia, after Benitagra in Almeria.
“We chose Cumbres de Enmedio because it is a symbol. This town shows that you can enjoy the same services in the Spanish countryside as in the big cities,” Toscano said. He recalled that the idea was born after a discussion with a couple in their 80s who paid €30 to pay the bill for three people in a taxi.
Financial equality comes to small towns
Mayor, Maria Reyes Paesadmitted that some neighbors initially doubted the ATM’s usefulness. “We’ve never had anything like this here. There were no banks, no ATMs, nothing. The closest thing we had was a neighbor who would leave us money or take us to another town to pay our bills.” But enthusiasm won out. “Many people now consider it an essential tool, especially for the elderly,” he added.
of financial education That’s also part of the plan. For the first few days, technical personnel have been accompanying residents, teaching them how to carry out the operation and how to avoid possible scams. Some, like 74-year-old Eulogio, admit they were “scared at first,” but now say they “help a lot, especially when it’s raining or cold.”
sustainable investment
The initial investment of the project is 500,000 euros per yearHowever, the Legislature plans to gradually reduce costs until ATMs can remain autonomous. Model designed in collaboration with technology companies NCR Atreosincludes advanced technology for managing payments and receipts, as well as a security system adapted to rural environments.
During the opening ceremony, Jimmy TarazonaGlobal Vice President of NCR Atleos emphasized that “The Regional Council of Huelva has been a pioneer in Spain by guaranteeing access to basic financial services in every corner of its territory.”
A commitment to territorial cohesion
Beyond comfort, the plan aims to strengthen territorial and economic cohesion. ATMs allow small businesses to stay active and allow residents to spend without relying on cash from other towns. “Connecting states also brings economic equality. These ATMs are a network of opportunity,” Toscano emphasized.
The Legislature plans to continue installations at other locations in the coming weeks, including La Monasilla, Isla Canela and El Portil. In all cases, priority is given to serving municipalities with fewer than 1,000 residents or without active banking offices.
The future of local banks
In Spain, Rural banking cancellation More than 1.3 million people have been affected, according to the Bank of Spain. Initiatives like Huelva point the way to new national strategies for financial inclusion, where technology and institutional cooperation are key.
For Cumbres de Enmedio, this ATM not only represents technological progress, but also a declaration of equality. In the mayor’s words, “We can now say we are part of the same map as everyone else.”
Through this initiative, the Provincial Council of Huelva: Demographic challenges And it shows that even the smallest municipality can modernize with a simple screen and card.
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