Undermining cash: card schemes under fire on ATM fee transparency

Warwick Ponder
Editor
8 Jul, 2026
As the card “surcharge ban” looms and small businesses look to cash as an alternative, experts say the sworn enemies of cash – the global card schemes - are ramping up the price of cash with secret fees, as fresh scrutiny falls on Mastercard's recent ATM mobile fee hike in Australia.
Undermining cash: card schemes under fire on ATM fee transparency

As the card “surcharge ban” looms and small businesses look to cash as an alternative, experts say the sworn enemies of cash – the global card schemes - are ramping up the price of cash with secret fees, as fresh scrutiny falls on Mastercard's recent ATM mobile fee hike in Australia.

Subscriber article

This article is available to PayDay News subscribers.

trending

Australia Post promises at least 4,000 retail outlets, but some already operate without cash and hundreds lack Bank@Post, raising questions about what cash and payment services will survive
On The Interchange Bench this week, TNS promotes PAX chief Johnson to global role, Walsh appointed pay’s marketing chief, Younes takes on platforms at Stripe, Edwards lands as
Coles has shut down Coles Pay but is stepping up Flybuys rewards ahead of Christmas just as Australia’s banks cut credit card perks, reframe loyalty offerings and consumers
Australian merchants using Adobe Commerce and Magento were last week urged to apply security patches immediately after authorities warned a critical vulnerability was being actively exploited.
Crypto executives say AUSTRAC’s recent crackdowns will strengthen the industry’s legitimacy.

RELATED STORIES ▸

Post office overhaul could further shrink cash and payments capability
Post office overhaul could further shrink cash and payments capability
Post office overhaul could further shrink cash and payments capability
Australia Post promises at least 4,000 retail outlets, but some already operate without cash and hundreds lack Bank@Post, raising questions ...
RBA designates Armaguard as cash pricing fight looms
RBA designates Armaguard as cash pricing fight looms
RBA designates Armaguard as cash pricing fight looms
Armaguard has become the first company captured by Australia’s new cash distribution regime, giving regulators significant new powers as unresolved ...
Despite mandating cards, cash still rules the till in Italy
Despite mandating cards, cash still rules the till in Italy
Despite mandating cards, cash still rules the till in Italy
If Australian banks are trying to kill cash, Italy offers a fascinating warning: even mandating electronic payment acceptance across virtually ...
Cash jigsaw still unfinished after framework clears Parliament
Cash jigsaw still unfinished after framework clears Parliament
Cash jigsaw still unfinished after framework clears Parliament
A lot remains unfinished to secure Australia’s cash future after Parliament last week passed legislation regulating Australia’s cash distribution network, ...
Tobacco inquiry exposes payments blind spot
Tobacco inquiry exposes payments blind spot
Tobacco inquiry exposes payments blind spot
A NSW parliamentary inquiry has called for a tobacco excise reset and stronger enforcement after finding organised crime is exploiting ...
Banktech, Next Payments ride cash wave as no surcharge bill shock looms
Banktech, Next Payments ride cash wave as no surcharge bill shock looms
Banktech, Next Payments ride cash wave as no surcharge bill shock looms
The end of card surcharging on October 1 has merchants across Australia looking at ways to hand out and handle ...

Got a story to share?

Get in touch with PayDay News today!

Advertising Enquiry

Fill out the form below, and we will be in touch shortly.

Contact Information

Got a story to share

Fill out the form below, and we will be in touch shortly.

Contact Information