Faced with the decline in the number of ATMs in some municipalities, a still little-used scheme could soon gain momentum: the in-store cashback. This service, which allows customers to receive cash directly at the checkout when paying by card, could see its limit raised and its access extended to all cardholders, regardless of their bank.
A scheme that has existed since 2018, but remains little-known
Merchant cashback was introduced by the law of August 3, 2018 and clarified by a decree of December 24 of the same year. Concretely, a customer paying for purchases by card can ask to receive some cash in addition to the amount of their basket: the merchant charges the total amount to the card and gives back the difference in banknotes or coins. The scheme currently requires a minimum purchase of one euro and a withdrawal capped at 60 euros, and the point of sale must clearly display, near the checkout or the payment terminal, that it offers this service.
Despite this older legal framework, the cashback remains very little known to the general public and is rarely offered by merchants themselves, for lack of communication about the scheme.
A ceiling soon raised to 150 euros?
The situation could change soon. A bill being examined in the National Assembly proposes raising the withdrawal limit from 60 to 150 euros, and introducing a tax incentive for merchants who agree to act as a local withdrawal point. The stated objective is to offset the progressive closure of ATMs in rural and suburban areas.
At the same time, the GIE Cartes Bancaires, with the support of the Banque de France, is working to extend this service to all cardholders, regardless of their issuing institution. An experiment is to be carried out using existing relay points, notably those of La Banque Postale and Crédit Agricole. Two schemes are distinguished: the classic cashback, linked to a purchase, and the « cash-in-shop », which would allow a counter withdrawal without a purchase obligation at certain partner points.
- Current minimum purchase: 1 euro ;
- Current withdrawal limit: 60 euros, raised to 150 euros if the reform succeeds ;
- Mandatory display of the service at the checkout ;
- Planned extension to all cardholders, regardless of bank.
Why this topic directly concerns consumers
For residents of areas where ATMs are becoming scarce, this type of solution represents a concrete alternative for accessing cash without making a detour. It is also a topic that ties in with everyday practical life: saving time, avoiding bank fees linked to out-of-network withdrawals, and better understanding the sometimes little-known services offered by one's card or by local merchants.
The topic also fits into the broader developments in the banking and credit sector, where institutions are looking to multiply access points to cash without multiplying ATMs, which are costly to maintain. Several practical guides and advice are also expected to multiply in the coming months to support this announced scaling up of the scheme.
Frequently asked questions
Is in-store cashback charged to the customer?
No, cash withdrawals via merchant cashback cannot be subject to any fee charged to the customer by the merchant under the current regulatory framework.
Do all merchants offer cashback?
No, this service remains optional for the merchant, who must nevertheless display it clearly if they offer it. Its low awareness partly explains its still limited uptake.
What is the difference between cashback and cash-in-shop?
Classic cashback requires a purchase to obtain cash at the checkout, whereas cash-in-shop, currently being experimented with, would aim to allow a counter withdrawal without a purchase obligation at certain partner locations.
Sources
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