Innovation

Working together: Let's get back to the business of business

As restrictions come off and opening phases begin, the ATM industry is poised to start getting back to business. But are we ready?

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June 9, 2020 by Pat Shea — Editor, NetworldMedia

This hasn't been the easiest time for any business, but the ATM industry was particularly hit hard by the COVID-19 pandemic. Although ATMs were considered essential during the lockdown, many operators voiced their frustration having machines in non-essential businesses that had been shut down since mid-March. 

If it weren't enough that machines were virtually held hostage by the lockdown restrictions, the idea that cash could carry the virus or that ATMs were virtual germ-machines began surfacing in news reports. True to form, the ATM industry, including ATM Marketplace, ATM Industry Association and the National ATM Council held firm and released information, articles and news briefs to the contrary on cash and the spreading of germs on metal and plastic. The NAC spearheaded the creation of the Consumer Choice in Payments Coalition with the mission to preserve the option for consumers to pay with cash at retail locations through the U.S.

As the country and the world begin the process of returning to what is being heralded as the "new normal" we, as an industry, know that we have a responsibility for the health and safety of ATM operators and their staff, bank branches and their staff as well as customers that use the ATM.

The ATMIA has released an ATM and Cash Revival Plan to help all within the industry understand what needs to be done as we get back to the business of business.

"Independent ATM operators, along with the restaurants, hospitality, and entertainment venues that account for a large portion of their locations, have been hit particularly hard by the COVID-19 pandemic," said David Tente, ATMIA's executive director, USA, Canada & Americas. "ATMIA has launched an ATM Revival Plan to help guide the industry through a speedy recovery.  It encompasses new ATM hygiene and safety protocols and best practices, "touchless" transactions enabled by the NextGen ATM initiative, and advocacy for the economic revival of the entire industry. This is a plan not just for a post-COVID recovery, but for the future of the industry, as well."

There are many steps that need to be taken by all of us before the world seems a little more familiar than it has been over the past few months. Check out the resources found here, at ATM Marketplace and your industry organizations ATMIA and NAC.

By working together we will get back to business faster while protecting the health and safety of our staff, customers and industry.

About Pat Shea

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Pat Shea is the editor of ATM Marketplace. Pat has been an editor and writer in mass market and trade publishing for more than 25 years. She has won press awards for her newspaper reporting and feature writing in corporate communication publications.

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Included In This Story

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ATM Industry Association (ATMIA)

The ATM Industry Association, founded in 1997, is a global non-profit trade association with over 10,500 members in 65 countries. The membership base covers the full range of this worldwide industry comprising over 2.2 million installed ATMs.

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