March 19, 2002
LONDON -- The ATM Industry Association is soon to launch its fourth chapter, ATMIA Africa, to add to its three existing chapters, ATMIA North America (including Canada), ATMIA Europe (including the UK) and ATMIA Australasia.
ATMIA is the world's only international trade association serving all ATM businesses, according to International Director Mike Lee. Sponsors include NCR, De La Rue Cash Systems, Triton, ACI Worldwide, Tranax Technologies, Papelaco, ATMmarketplace.com and Carreker Corporation.
A launch luncheon and informational meeting is slated for June 13 at the training center of the First National Bank of South Africa in Sandton, South Africa.
"ATMIA would like to thank our members, First National Bank, for their generous offer to host this important meeting in the interests of the development of the ATM industry in Southern Africa and, eventually, throughout Africa," said Lee.
ATMIA Africa has already signed ATM Solutions (Pty) Ltd, an independent deployer, as its first foundational board member. As a foundational member, the company will receive: a quarterly newsletter, including regulatory news of relevance to the industry; discounts at ATMIA conferences; full access to international ATMIA member database, including all contact details of members; a presence on the ATMIA Web site; an opportunity to elect members to the International Board of ATMIA, and to be elected; access to a members-only insurance program; and other benefits.
"The establishment of ATMIA Africa is a project incredibly close to my heart as I spent most of my life living in South Africa. I have always admired the ATM industry there since the mid-80s," Lee said. "However, ATMs are being installed in countries beyond Southern Africa like Uganda, Kenya and Nigeria. I believe ATMIA Africa will become a unique and exciting part of ATMIA. Each chapter has much to learn from every other chapter."
ATMIA plans to launch a fourth ATMIA website for the new chapter, joining sites for North America at www.atmia.com and ATMIA Europe at www.atmiaeurope.com. A site for ATMIA Australasia is in the works.
According to Lee, the ATMIA is currently involved in four major industry issues, ATM security, EMV compliance, access to ATMs for the disabled and ATM advertising.
"Our vision is to promote the growth of the ATM industry around the world," he said.
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.