Japanese bank extends ATM hours

TOKYO -- Sanwa Bank will extend the operation of some ATMs to 24 hours a day, seven days a week, becoming the first major Japanese bank to do so, according to the Nihon Keizai Shimbun. The ATMs will stop running only for several hours one Sunday night a month for maintenance checks.

Sanwa Bank currently offers round-the-clock service at about 150 ATMs at 16 branches in the Tokyo and Osaka areas on weekdays, but they are open only from 7:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. on weekends and holidays. Also, operation is suspended for a combined six days at the beginning of the year and during the Golden Week holiday in May.

The extended service hours come at a price. While use of ATMs during normal business hours -- 8:45 a.m.to 6 p.m. on weekdays and 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturdays -- will continue to be free, a 105 yen commission will be charged for use at all other times.

Sanwa Bank also will begin operating cash dispensers at Lawson Inc. and other c-stores 24 hours a day throughout the year.