News

Arkansas Federal Credit Union's ATMs are first to dispense one-dollar coins

March 5, 2002

JACKSONVILLE, Ark. -- Most people haven't even seen the newly minted, golden one-dollar coins, much less received one from an ATM machine. But that's changing. The Arkansas Federal Credit Union's ATM machines are now dispensing the new Sacagawea golden, one-dollar coin. This is the first financial institution in the country to dispense the newly minted coins at an ATM.

According to the AFCU, the idea is to increase the ATM's maximum transaction amount from $300 to $500. Now dollars can be dispensed as cash, freeing up the dollar-bill dispenser and substituting $50 bills instead. The bank says customers are pleased with the new, more flexible machines.

The credit union's ATMs feature a 15-inch color display, which presents marketing messages for the credit union. Plans include using it to tout the new one-dollar coins.

In their branch offices, the AFCU has 14 of these advanced-function ATMs made by Diebold. These machines provide a variety of services, including the ability to cash checks to the penny. The same ATMs also can be upgraded and configured to dispense other items of value, such as event tickets, stamps or coupons.