Options for Expanding an ATM Network

This is an abridged version of an NCR Atleos article written about ATM network options that financial institutions (FIs) have if they don’t have the reach of the largest institutions ¹. It explores the pros and cons of either joining a shared network or signing up with an independent ATM network.

The article assumes these FIs will probably have to go beyond their branch network and want to consider options other than adding to their own networks. The choices are to add availability through a network shared with their competitors, one operated independently, or some combination of these two types. How can they decide which to use?

Context and history

Since the first ATM was installed at the Enfield branch of Barclays Bank in London on 27 June 1967, FIs around the world have been cooperating to allows customers to share ATMs across different locations. In some areas of the world, like the UK, ATMs are mostly free for anyone to use. In the US, banks and processors charge fees to compensate for the cost of providing shared ATM access.