LINK is the operator of the UK cash machine network, connecting almost every cash machine free and charging in the UK and is the busiest cash machine transaction switch in the world. The LINK ATM Scheme brings together the banks, building societies and other institutions that issue cards for use in cash machines and operate the 64,000 cash machines that make up that network.

Since 2001, the number of LINK cash machines has grown from 36,000 to 64,000. Of these, over 38,500 are free to use - an all-time high. Over 96 per cent of all ATM cash withdrawals by UK cardholders in the UK are made free of charge.

The LINK network processes around 250 million transactions a month and, at its busiest, it processes over 1 million transactions an hour and over 350 per second. LINK has around 50 members and there are more than 130 million LINK cards in circulation from around 38 card issuers.

The LINK ATM Scheme sets the rules for new and existing participants in the cash machine network and sets standards for signage, encryption, messaging, security and other features of the network. LINK does not itself install or operate cash machines. Decisions on where to install individual machines or whether a machine is free to use or pay to use are the responsibility of individual LINK members..