Forces Financial is offering the commander of every UK military establishment a non-charging cash machine. Forces Financial believe that the seven-year deal made with founding independent ATM operator, Bank Machine, has the potential to return almost £18m worth of charges direct to the bank accounts of members of the British Armed Forces and their families.

Historically the size and location of many military establishments has made it difficult for serving personnel and their families to access the nearest non-charging machine. The type of duties and the security issues surrounding military life can compound this. The provision of free-to-use cash machines will make life easier and cheaper for all those living and serving on bases around the country. In addition the facility will mean that the withdrawal of small amounts will no longer be penalised by proportionally high charges, helping troops manage their budgets, whilst reducing the risks associated with carrying large amounts of cash.

Commenting Al Voice said:
“I was aware that the military had been disadvantaged by not receiving a free ATM service. The majority of the military estate is served by charging ATMs but there are some locations serviced by free-to-use machines, however these currently amount to fewer than 10% of the estate portfolio. I wholeheartedly applaud Bank Machine for their commitment and long-term vision - this is not a bogus offer whereby the machines have to be self-filled or have other restrictions, but a genuine, fully serviced facility, jointly branded Forces Financial and Bank Machine. I am looking forward to working with base commanders to get these machines installed across the country - Ron Delnevo and his very experienced team at Bank Machine are ready and waiting.”

Bank Machine Managing Director Ron Delnevo responded:
”We are delighted to be working with Forces Financial to provide free-to-use cash machines for military personnel and their families – a service which has been some what lacking in recent years. We hope to install over 200 brand new state of the art ATMs over the next two years, covering every military establishment in the UK. Bank Machine created the independent ATM service in the UK and has continued to lead innovation since then. We are proud to be working with Forces Financial on this ground-breaking project.”

Forces Financial focuses on providing insurance and financial services for serving and retired members of the UK Police and Armed Forces, and the MOD. The company results from the purchase of the NAAFI Financial services business from NAAFI and Close Brothers Military Services by the R3: Group and the existing managing director Al Voice. The offer of free cash machines is the first of many new initiatives planned by Forces Financial to bring added value to those in the British Armed Forces.

ENDS

For further information please contact Sophie Cork or Gemma Young at The SPA Way on 020 7403 6900 or email gemma.young@thespaway.com

Questions and Answers

Q. What is the average charge for cash withdrawals at ATMs on UK military establishments?
A. £1.60

Q. How many transactions are made a year from charging machines?
A. In the year to November 2005 a total of 1,595,091 transactions were recorded, totalling £2,552,145 p.a. in charges.

Q. What does a free machine mean for members of the Armed Forces community in the UK, apart from providing a convenient service?
A. The equivalent saving of £15 a year for every one of the 170,000 personnel currently serving in the UK.

Q. How are you making your offer available to the base commanders?
A. We are writing to every commander so they are fully aware of our offer and know how to contact us – in the first instance:
  Garry Eydmann, Regional Manager South
  Britannia Suite,
  Old Sarum Park,
  Salisbury, SP4 6ES
  Mob. 07884 003720

Q. How long are Forces Financial and Bank Machine committed to this arrangement?
A. Seven years.

Q. What will Forces Financial gain from the deal?
A. Forces Financial will not earn an income from this arrangement, the benefit will come from the joint branding of the machines, and customer messaging opportunities on the ATM screens and receipts; raising awareness of the company’s services.

Q. How long will it take to install the free-to-use machines on every base?
A. The machines could be rolled out across the country by the autumn of 2008.

Notes for Editors

About Forces Financial
Forces Financial provides insurance products for members of HM Forces, MOD and their families which include important additional benefits valued by the military not readily available from High Street insurance companies.

For further information or an interview with a spokesperson, please contact Claire Ford:-
Tel: 01722 342648
Fax: 01722 342511
Email: claire.ford@forcesfinancial.com
Website: www.forcesfinancial.com

Forces Financial
Britannia Suite
Old Sarum Park
Salisbury, SP4 6ES

Forces Financial is a trading name of Stuart Harvey Insurance Brokers Limited who is authorised and regulated by the Financial Services Authority. Registration number 301858. Registered Office: Globe House, 24 Turret Lane, Ipswich, Suffolk, IP4 1DL

About Bank Machine
Based in Hatfield, Hertfordshire, Bank Machine is the leading independent ATM operator in the UK with well over 1000 ATMs in a variety of locations including forecourts, convenience stores, shopping centres and cinemas. The company has been in business since 1998 and employs approximately 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, covers all 50 states and employs over 175 staff.

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

About R3: Group
R3: Group is based in Ipswich and specialises in facilitating business to business to consumer (B2B2C) relationships and has particular expertise in the area of financial services. Clients include Barclays, Post Office, Egg, Virgin, Hiscox, Honda and Credit Suisse.
R3: Group has various subsidiary companies including Calibre HomeSolutions Limited, Stuart Harvey Insurance Brokers Limited, Harrison Beaumont Insurance Services Limited, Banner Financial Services Group and Mortgage Excellence plc

Robin Williams, Group Director
R3: Group
Globe House
24 Turret Lane
Ipswich IP4 1DL

Tel: 01473 333333
Fax: 01473 230561
Email: robin.williams@r3group.com
URL: www.r3group.com

This article is constructed to meet the regulatory requirements of the Financial Services Authority in respect of financial promotions. Any amendments made in advance of release by the editor are done so without the prior approval of Forces Financial.

Sources: DASA Report Oct 05