PYMNTS.com·2025-12-21 23:57Core Insights - Visa and Mastercard will pay $167.5 million to settle a lawsuit regarding ATM fees, which accused them of conspiring to inflate access fees for ATM users [1][2][3] Settlement Details - The settlement will provide compensation to millions of ATM users who incurred unreimbursed access fees at independent, non-bank ATMs since October 2007, with Visa contributing approximately $88.8 million and Mastercard around $78.7 million [3][4] - The lawsuit was initiated in 2011, challenging the companies' rules that allegedly restricted independent ATM operators from offering lower fees [4] Legal Context - The companies have denied any wrongdoing, and previously settled related claims for $197.5 million concerning overcharges at bank-operated ATMs [4] - Plaintiffs' attorneys described the settlement as a favorable outcome given the risks of ongoing litigation and plan to request up to 30% of the fund, approximately $50 million, for legal fees [5] Industry Outlook - Visa's 2026 outlook indicates that approximately $11 trillion in cash remains in circulation globally, suggesting that cash will continue to play a significant role in economies for the foreseeable future [5][6] - The company anticipates that 2026 will mark the first year when half of the world's consumer payments will be made using card credentials, indicating a shift towards digital payments [6] Cash Usage Trends - Cash remains integral to informal economies and small-value transactions, particularly in regions with limited banking access, while also being used for budgeting and privacy in advanced economies [7]