The 600th new free cash machine in a low-income area is now up-and-running, according to LINK, the operator of the UK's cash machine network. Cash machine operators in the UK have now surpassed the national target to install 600 free-to-use cash machines in low-income areas. The target was agreed by the ATM Working Group in December 2006. 1.5 million people living in low-income areas in the UK are now benefiting from 601 new free cash machines.
John McFall, who chaired the ATM Working Group, said: "Hundreds of low-income communities now have instant access to their money, without having to pay for it."
"I am delighted that the cash machines target has been surpassed. I would like to congratulate LINK as well as all the participating banks and cash machine operators."
Edwin Latter, Director of the LINK ATM Scheme, said: "The ATM Working Group chaired by John McFall helped us to agree with consumer groups and government exactly where free-to-use cash machines were most needed. Thanks to the willingness of LINK card issuers and ATM operators to contribute, we have been able to make a real difference to hundreds of communities and over a million people."
The cash machines target was agreed following a report by the ATM Working Group, which comprised UK banks, cash machine operators and consumer groups.
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Media Enquiries:
For more information please contact Victoria McGovern / Karen Cooper at the LINK Press Office.
Email: victoria.mcgovern@thejjgroup.com / karen.cooper@thejjgroup.com
Tel: 01865 343100
Mobile: Victoria, 07971 293 594
About LINK
LINK connects almost every cash machine in the UK, both free-to-use and pay-to-use. The LINK network is the busiest ATM transaction switch in the world. The LINK Scheme brings together the banks, building societies and other institutions that issue cards and the operators of the 64,000 UK cash machines that make up the LINK network.
The LINK network processes around 250 million transactions a month and, at its busiest, it processes over one million transactions an hour. The LINK network has 46 members and there are more than 130 million LINK cards in circulation from 36 card issuers.
