New Research Highlights Strong National Support for Protecting Americans’ Right to Pay with Cash
ATLANTA -- NCR Atleos Corporation (NYSE: NATL) (“Atleos”), a leader in expanding self-service financial access for financial institutions, retailers and consumers, today highlighted new findings from the Siena Research Institute and the Payment Choice Coalition (PCC) showing overwhelming public support for preserving the right to pay with cash across the United States.
New national survey results reveal that more than 85% of Americans want laws requiring businesses to accept cash, with 84% of those surveyed opposing a fully cashless society. The Siena–PCC survey results of 5,570 residents across the US, is representative of the broader US population, and the survey results reinforce that even as digital payment methods were available, consumers still wanted—and needed—cash as a reliable, private, and resilient payment option. These findings align with and echo the latest Federal Reserve research “2025 Diary of Consumer Payment Choice” data showing the stability of cash where 92% of respondents said they had no plans to stop using cash in the future.
As a funding partner and Leadership Circle member of the PCC, Atleos reaffirmed its commitment to protecting consumer payment choice and supporting a resilient national cash infrastructure.
Cash Remains Essential for Millions
The Siena–PCC survey shows that 85%of Americans used cash in the last 30 days, and more than half report their use of cash has remained steady or increased over the past five years. Cash is especially vital for the 25 million unbanked or underbanked Americans, along with seniors, rural populations, and those who face barriers to using digital‑only payment options.
“Atleos is proud to stand with the Payment Choice Coalition in advocating for a resilient, inclusive, and secure payments ecosystem,” said Stuart Mackinnon, COO, for Atleos. “These findings reinforce what we hear from our customers regularly: Americans value the ability to choose how they pay. Cash remains essential—not just for convenience or privacy, but for fairness, access, and economic participation.”
Cash Strengthens Resilience, Security, and Privacy
Survey results show broad public consensus on the value of cash in emergencies and daily life:
- 94% say keeping cash available is important in case of national security threats that could disrupt digital payments.
- 85% say cash is more reliable during natural disasters and emergencies.
- 92% say cash protects personal privacy better than cards or digital transactions.
- 86% believe digital payments increase the risk of identity theft.
As outages, cyberattacks, and extreme weather events can introduce disruption to digital payment systems, strong access to cash—including ATMs and cash‑distribution networks—remains an essential safeguard for families and communities.
Broad, Bipartisan Support for the Payment Choice Act
The survey found 85% support for the federal Payment Choice Act, legislation that would require most in‑person businesses to accept cash for purchases up to $500. Respondents expressed consistent support across political affiliations.
“The research validates the core belief driving our work with the PCC: protecting cash acceptance is smart, inclusive policy backed by an overwhelming majority of Americans,” continued Mckinnon. “Atleos is committed to helping financial institutions and retailers provide secure, reliable access to cash—now and for the future.”
About the Payment Choice Coalition
The Payment Choice Coalition (PCC) is an initiative of companies across the cash ecosystem—including armored transport providers, ATM operators, banks, and currency technology companies—working to protect Americans’ right to use cash for reasons of resilience, national security, privacy, fairness, safety, and freedom of choice.
About Atleos
Atleos (NYSE: NATL) is the leader in expanding self-service financial access, with industry-leading ATM expertise and experience, unrivalled operational scale including the largest independently-owned ATM network, always-on global services and constant innovation. Atleos improves operational efficiency for financial institutions, drives footfall for retailers and enables digital-first financial self-service experiences for consumers. Atleos is ranked #12 in Newsweek’s prestigious 2025 Top 100 Global Most Loved Workplaces® list. Atleos is headquartered in Atlanta, Ga., with approximately 20,000 employees globally. For more information, visit www.ncratleos.com.
Media Contact
Scott Sykes
NCR Atleos