News

ATM ISO Cardtronics signs bank-branding agreement in Puerto Rico

August 17, 2010

Cardtronics Inc. has signed a long-term ATM bank-branding agreement with Scotiabank Puerto Rico in addition to a master agreement that establishes a framework for Cardtronics to brand Scotiabank ATMs in other markets.

“The contract [in Puerto Rico] calls for a total of 200 machines,” said Joel Antonini, Cardtronics vice president of marketing.

Scotiabank’s logo will appear on 40 Cardtronics ATMs already in place, and the two companies will collaborate to brand 160 additional ATMs on the island as Cardtronics installs additional machines, Antonini said. Bank employees will deploy the cash-dispensing machines in retail, off-premise locations, and they will be surcharge-free to Scotiabank cardholders.

Cardtronics’ contract with Scotiabank could open other ATM-branding opportunities for the Houston-based ISO.

“The master agreement could enable us to brand Scotiabank ATMs in markets where the companies’ operations overlap,” Antonini said. The master agreement is with Scotiabank, Scotiabank Puerto Rico’s parent company, which is based in Toronto. The bank is one of Canada’s five largest with $526 billion in assets. Scotiabank has operations in Canada, the Caribbean, Central America, Mexico, South America and Asia. As of April 30, the bank owned about 974 ATMs.

The contract between Cardtronics, Scotiabank and Scotiabank Puerto Rico comes several months after ATMmarketplace.com reported that Cardtronics purchased nearly 200 SlimCash, cash dispenser ATMs from Wincor Nixdorf Inc., which is based in Austin, Texas.

Antonini said Cardtronics will deploy some Wincor Nixdorf ATMs. And depending on contracts, Cardtronics could deploy machines from other manufacturers.

Cardtronics' bank-branding program attracted Scotiabank Puerto Rico.

“As we looked to further expand our services for customers living in and visiting Puerto Rico, Scotiabank carefully evaluated Cardtronics and its ATM-branding program, and we are confident Cardtronics will provide our customers with the exceptional service and security they expect when they see the Scotiabank brand,” said Troy Wright, CEO of Scotiabank Puerto Rico. Neither company released the agreement’s details.

Scotiabank Puerto Rico, which has been on the Island since 1910, operates 17 commercial and consumer branches on the island.

Cardtronics is the world’s largest non-bank operator of ATMs, with more than 33,700 ATMs in the United States, the United Kingdom, Mexico, the U.S. Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico.