Madrid's president, Isabel Díaz Ayuso, has announced a plan to ensure at least one ATM in each of the region's 179 municipalities, making it the first in Spain to do so. The initiative aims to combat ageism and guarantee access to basic banking services in rural areas. The project, with an investment of around 70,000 euros, will begin implementation in March.
In April 2022, during a visit to Villamanta, Madrid's president Isabel Díaz Ayuso stressed the need for an inclusive welfare state: «The welfare state must serve everyone, especially those left behind or with special needs, and not everyone has access to the Internet or knows how to use it.» That statement drove the regional administration's mobile banking service, operated by CaixaBank, which expanded to 41 additional municipalities to help residents without nearby bank branches.
Three years later, in September during the Debate on the State of the Region, Ayuso raised the stakes by announcing that the regional government would ensure an ATM in every municipality. According to the counselor for Presidency, Justice, and Local Administration, Miguel Ángel García, 61 of the 179 municipalities currently lack ATMs, rising to 63 including hamlets; all have fewer than 20,000 inhabitants, mostly in the Sierra Norte. This means one-third of towns must travel elsewhere for banking services.
The plan, part of the 'Pueblos con vida' strategy, envisions commission-free multimarca ATMs, starting with withdrawals and expanding to cash deposits, balance checks, bill payments, and transport card recharges. Adhering town halls will handle site selection and utilities. The installation company's tender is pending.
Additionally, the Community will invest 48 million euros in the Rural Roads Plan via the PIR, improving access to 17 municipalities, intersections, road surfaces, and 36 km of bike lanes, in collaboration with Housing, Transport, and Infrastructure. Next year, the mobile citizen service office will reach the 155 municipalities with over 50,000 inhabitants.