Fee-free ATMs to continue in remote communities

Fifteen banks will continue to provide fee-free ATM services for customers located in some of Australia’s most remote communities.

Under the arrangement, participating banks pay non-bank ATM deployers to provide fee-free usage at up to 85 selected ATMs in remote parts of the Northern Territory, Queensland, Western Australia and South Australia.

Australian Bankers’ Association CEO Anna Bligh said the program has been running for five years and has just been approved for another five.

“People living in remote Indigenous communities often have very little, or extremely limited, choice when it comes to access to services and they are often charged excessive fees to use an ATM, putting them at further financial disadvantage,” she said.

“The five-year extension means that as long as their bank is one of the fifteen that are participating, they can make withdrawals or balance enquiries at no cost.

“Until remote communities get better access to phone or internet technology to do their banking, the ATM is a lifeline for them. The ABA and the banks it represents is proud to be able to help bridge the divide between those in remote areas and the rest of Australia,” Ms Bligh said.

To avoid any confusion each participating ATM will clearly state on the screen that it is fee free.

The banks taking part in the fee-free program are, ANZ, BOQ, Bank SA, Bank of Melbourne, Bankwest, Bendigo & Adelaide Bank, Citibank, Commonwealth Bank, HSBC, ING Direct, ME Bank, NAB, St.George, Suncorp and Westpac.

A full list of the participating ATMs providing fee-free access can be found at www.bankers.asn.au/consumers/indigenous-accessibility.

ENDS

Contact: Rory Grant 0475 741 007