The ATM Industry Association today called upon the ATM industry in the United Kingdom to protect the universal access of cardholders to ATMs on the country’s interbank network, according to a press release.
This follows the recent decision by RBS, which is majority-owned by taxpayers, to bar basic account holders from using cash machines belonging to other banks.
ATMIA has criticized this practice as economically and socially detrimental, as well as inconvenient to consumers.
“Just as all citizens have the right to vote, so should all accountholders have the right to access any ATM on the nation’s world-class interbank network,” said Mike Lee, CEO of the trade body. “We would like to see these new restrictions on ATM access in the UK lifted. They reduce economic mobility and choice for these basic account holders and may, in the long-run, diminish the effectiveness of the interbank network, which is part of the nation’s critical infrastructure.”
ATMIA today published a position paper outlining the rationale for its opposition to the practice of restricting ATM access, especially on a network like LINK.
“These restrictions are counter-productive for the network and detrimental to low income groups who rely heavily on cash as a budgeting tool,” Lee said. “Finally, the restrictions may damage the reputation of the ATM industry which strives to provide universal access for all cardholders and which is proud of the level of convenience this interbank system has brought to millions of consumers for over two decades.”
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