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ATMIA offers free download of report on Operation Choke Point

August 10, 2016

ATM Industry Association members and nonmembers alike may now download the rereleased report, "Operation Choke Point: An ATM Industry Update."

The report, sponsored by the ATMIA U.S. independent ATM deployer committee, initially was published in June, at which time it was available only to ATMIA members.

The publication examines issues the ATM industry has encountered as the result of Operation Choke Point, and how independent ATM deployers can protect their business and respond to bank inquiries.

The U.S. Department of Justice launched the OCP initiative in 2013 to monitor the dealings of U.S. financial institutions with payment processors, payday lenders and other businesses perceived to be at risk for fraud and money laundering.

Although the program was intended to shut down bank accounts of criminal enterprises, it has given rise to claims that OCP in fact targets legal businesses, such as gun shops, that the government disapproves of.

The ATMIA report offers insights from IADs who have come under OCP-related scrutiny, including information about what to expect in an OCP investigation and tips to avoid the closure of bank accounts.

The report also provides details about ATMIA's bipartite approach to dealing with Operation Choke Point: The first part involves educating the industry about ways to buffer itself from the program's negative effects; the second part involves discussions with members of Congress about the need for corrective action to protect law-abiding businesses.

Last year, Rep. Blaine Luetkemeyer, R-MO,  introduced H.R. 766, which would end OCP. In February, the bill passed a House vote with bipartisan support.

A companion bill has been introduced in the Senate, however senior advisors to President Obama have strongly recommended that he veto the legislation, should it reach his desk.

Download the free report, "Operation Choke Point: An ATM Industry Update." 

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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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