Bank Machine, the independent ATM operator, today announces the installation of a free to use ATM in the historic village of Rainhill, after the only bank recently closed and removed its cash machine.

Bank Machine was contacted by Rt. Hon. Shaun Woodward MP and local Councillors and businesses urging intervention as the harmful effect of no access to cash became apparent for both villagers and businesses alike. Mr Woodward stated the loss of the cash machine was
“…having a detrimental effect on shop keepers and residents of the village, who are not able to have the use of a cash machine to withdraw monies and subsequently spend that money within the village.”

The new cash machine will serve 12,000 villagers, ensuring that local residents no longer have the inconvenience of travelling to other towns therefore allowing them to shop locally. This will obviously have a positive effect on local businesses that are already struggling due to the recession.

Ron Delnevo, Managing Director of Bank Machine commented
“Bank Machine is delighted to once again meet the needs of a community, needs which have been patently ignored by the high street banks. We now have over 600 free-to-use ATMs in the UK and we are happy that the residents of Rainhill Village are joining the growing number of people around the country who can confidently depend on Bank Machine to provide a local solution to their need for that most vital of commodities – cash!”

Bank Machine continues to source sites for free to use ATMs in areas with traditionally limited access, for example in NHS hospitals, military bases, colleges and low-income areas to ensure financial inclusion for all.

-ENDS-

Notes to Editors:

• Last year, £186 billion was dispensed from cash machines in the UK, an average of £5903 per second. This figure is forecast by APACS to steadily grow over the next five years.

• Bank Machine created the UK's independent ATM market ten years ago and now has more than 2,500 cash machines in locations including cinemas, garage forecourts and retail outlets - ranging from Selfridges to convenience stores.

• Bank Machine operates both pay-to-use and free-to-use ATMs, with over 600 free-to-use ATMs installed in, for example, NHS hospitals, military bases, Universities and low-income areas.

• Based in Hatfield, Hertfordshire, Bank Machine (a division of Cardtronics Inc.) now has over 100 staff.

• For further information about Bank Machine, please visit its website (www.bankmachine.com) or contact Surinder Kaur Gill at Quintus Communications on 0207 340 6290 / email surinder@quintuscommunications.com