Bank Machine, the company that created the Independent ATM Service in the UK, has joined HBOS, the Royal Bank Group and HSBC in pledging to install free-to-use ATMs in Link-defined low-income areas.

Ron Delnevo, Managing Director of Bank Machine, is happy to make up the shortfall resulting from certain High Street Banks not yet participating in this initiative. He comments "Approximately 600 areas requiring free-to-use ATMs have been identified and so far the Banks have only managed to reach 500 in terms of their commitments. We are therefore delighted to bridge the gap by providing at least 100 cash machines for appropriate sites, matching the offers made by HBOS and HSBC."

Bank Machine has in fact already signed contracts for around 30 sites in the areas in question-and more sites are being continually identified.

However, Ron Delnevo only sees this as a stepping stone towards the real solution in terms of ATM provision in low income areas. He is adamant that the next step is for ALL ATMs in such areas to be free-to-use. "Bank Machine has submitted proposals to Link that would allow residents in low income areas to use any machine without any payment. The implementation of this proposal is at the heart of Bank Machine’s priorities and work continues to bring that about"

Ron Delnevo sums up Bank Machines achievements of recent months; "In the last few months we have installed free-to-use ATMs at a number of hospitals, commenced a programme aimed at providing free access to cash for military personnel throughout the UK and have now pledged to install further free ATMs in low income areas. In short, we have proven that an Independent ATM operator can lead the way in the provision of ATM services in the UK. Financial Institutions lie gasping in our wake, unable to match either our speed of action or service standards".

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