Bank Machine has confirmed that a Free-To-Use ATM has been installed on the Muirhouse and Drylaw estate in Edinburgh. Bank Machine has installed the cash machine at the Martin McColl store on Pennywell Road, an area where residents previously faced up to 30 minutes walk to the nearest ATM that does not charge for withdrawals.

Local Edinburgh West MP John Barrett and community activists have been campaigning for over 2 years for a Free-To-Use cash machine. Residents were initially delighted when two major Scottish banks promised an installation. However, 7 months later there is still no sign of a much needed free-to-use machine.

Bank Machine, the company that created the UK Independent ATM market in 1998, has stepped in where the banks have failed by providing a full service ATM on Pennywell Road last week.

Says Ron Delnevo, Managing Director of Bank Machine, “Bank Machine are happy to provide a safe and secure ATM service to the local Muirhouse and Drylaw community. We are more than willing to survey other areas in which people deem a free-to-use ATM vital.

“Many banks seem to need to define an area as low income before providing an ATM. Bank Machine does not have any such definition in mind. Instead we look at the number of people in an area and the need for the service. We do not label areas as either high or low income as part of our assessment process. The public deserve an ATM service near their homes and this is what we strive to provide.”

Says Edinburgh West MP, John Barrett, “I am sure that residents in Muirhouse and Drylaw will be very pleased with today’s announcement. In recent years, local branch closures have made it increasingly difficult for people across the city to access their own money without paying for the privilege. Any initiative that improves this situation will always have my full backing and support.”

Ron Delnevo is urging anyone living in an area they consider to be particularly deserving of a Free-To Use ATM to e-mail FreeATM@bankmachine.com and let Bank Machine know which sites (including full address and post code) they have in mind. The site will then be surveyed and if the site merits such an ATM, Bank Machine will do everything possible to arrange a Full Service Free-to-Use ATM for that location.

-Ends-

For further information please contact Sophie Cork at The SPA Way on 020 7403 6900 or email sophie.cork@thespaway.com

Commentary available on request from Ron Delnevo, Managing Director of Bank Machine.

Notes to Editors

About Bank Machine: Based in Hatfield, Hertfordshire, Bank Machine is the leading independent ATM operator in the UK with well over 1400 ATMs in a variety of locations including forecourts, convenience stores, shopping centres and cinemas. The company has been in business since 1998 and employs over 50 staff. For more information about Bank Machine visit www.bankmachine.com

Bank Machine is a division of American Owned Cardtronics – the world’s largest ATM Operator which provides ATM’s across the US and Mexico. Founded in 1989, the company now has more than 26,000 ATM locations, coverering all 50 states of the USA.