News

UK Link members to explore ways to keep ATM network viable

January 27, 2017

Members of Link, the network that connects 70,000 ATMs in the U.K., met on Thursday in an effort to resolve disagreements that threaten the network's surcharge-free operating model.

The Link scheme is governed and financially supported by 39 industry organizations that issue ATM cards and deploy ATMs in the United Kingdom.

At issue is the threat by some issuers to begin charging users of their ATMs if their own interchange fees are not reduced.

After the meeting, Link Chief Executive John Howells issued a statement on progress made toward resolving the disagreement:

Whilst commercial perspectives may vary, every Link member was clear at the meeting that ensuring the future of the Link Network and the cash access needs of U.K. consumers remains their No. 1 priority.

It was agreed that a working group of members will be established in order to explore a way forward for the sustainability of the Link scheme, particularly Link interchange. Details of this group will be defined as soon as practical and it is anticipated that this group will report back to the Link Network Members Council later in the year.

Howells emphasized that the Link network continues to operate normally and that "it's business as usual for consumers at all the U.K.'s 70,000 ATMs."

According to Link, virtually all ATMs in the U.K. are enabled on the network and more than three-quarters are free to use.

In 2016, consumers in the U.K. made around 2.1 billion Link cash withdrawals amounting to 129 billion pounds. Only about 3 percent of these were transacted at pay-to-use cash machines, according to Link.