ATM&CARDS Weekly Newsletter
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September 15, 2014 Volume 9 No 3
CeBIH Seeks Support for Policy on ATM The Chairman of the Committee of ebanking Industry Heads (CeBIH), Mr. Tunde Kuponiyi has called for understanding of bank customers on the recently introduced charge on remote-on-us ATM withdrawals. He said industry statistics compiled by CeBIH showed that inter-bank cash withdrawals rose from 33.4 million transactions with a value of N91 billion in January 2013, to 66.8 million transactions with a value of N168 billion as at December 2013. According to Kuponiyi, during this period, it was also discovered that members of the public engaged in uncontrolled use of their debit cards on other banks’ ATMs such that
customers engaged in as many as 160 transactions in a month. This, according to him necessitated the recent re-introduction of a N65 charge on the use of other banks’ ATMs. “The re-introduced fee of N65 is to ensure that bank customers take up the responsibility for the cost associated with transactions carried out on other banks ATMs “It is worthy of note that in reintroducing the charges, three free remote-on-us transactions are allowed per customers per month. This means that banks still bear a cost of N195 per customer per bank,” he explained. Kuponiyi also expressed belief that the banking populace would be encouraged to
adopt the various alternative payment channels in the country, saying the policy would help the federal government realize the aim of the cashless policy. “It is also pertinent to educate members of the public that the cards being issued by the banks are not only meant for ATM cash withdrawal but are activated for a wide range of services on ATM and other alternative channels. “Such services include bills payment (DSTV, PHCN e.t.c), intra and Inter-bank transfers, airtime purchase, donations, embassy payments, dealer payments, utility bills and school fees amongst others,” he said.
Activists Protest Reintroduction of ATM Charges
Protesters standing on the street in Agege carried placards and singing solidarity songs are condemning the CBN for reintroducing ATM charges. They continue to fault the introduction of charges of N65.00 on ATM withdrawals, saying that it shows how inconsistent some of our rulers could be.
In a three-point demand the activists urged “that if the policy is not reversed, Nigerians shall transfer their aggression on President Jonathan who appointed Emefiele to add pains to the plight of the mass of Nigerians.” They further roused the National Assembly to question the reintroduction of charges on ATM with a view to abolishing it.
Declan Ihekaire said “the new policy on ATM withdrawals, if carefully studied, makes clear that the current CBN Governor Godwin Emefiele is yet to come to terms with the responsibilities of the office.”
According to one demonstrator who spoke with Sahara Reporters, “It is evident that this government is shortsighted and selfish as most of their policies are anti-people,”
“The intent of the recent policy is very clear to the policy makers, who had chosen to better the lots of bankers at the detriment of the bank users,” he said.
The grand climax of the protest was the symbolic burning of a coffin to show denunciation of Jonathan’s alleged use of the CBN governor to raise more funds for his presidential ambition.
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Payment kiosk helps to pay the bills
machine are quick and easy, Lara said. “Place the barcode on your postcard bill against the bill scanner, enter your last name and phone number, select type of payment: cash, check, credit card or debit card, insert cash, check, credit card or debit card, wait for printed receipt, and you are done,” he said.
A new payment kiosk has been installed in San Benito city Hall. The kiosk will give residents an easier and faster way to pay their bills. The machine can be used to pay utility bills, court fines and other fees. “It is simple to use, much like an ATM,” City Manager Manuel Lara said. “It can be used to pay your water bill, or a court fine, among other payment features.” With more than 6,000 customers, the city has three billing cycles on the 5th, 15th, and 25th
of each month. To address the long lines, the kiosk will help clients make automated payments. The city will offer demonstrations over the next several weeks showing residents how to use the kiosk’s touch screen with English and Spanish options.
NCR to Help its customers Integrate Apple Pay NCR is making payments easier for customers. Recently, the company agreed to integrate Apple’s mobile payments system, Apple Pay, to help customers easily carry out credit and debit card transactions through smartphones and tablets. Through this facility, NCR will provide retail and hospitality customers an easy, safe and secure way to pay with a single touch. This mobile solution will save time otherwise wasted in long queues at the check-out counters. The technology could be of great importance to NCR, helping it expand its existing client base.
For Apple Pay, the iPhone maker has teamed up with MasterCard Inc., American Express Co. and Visa Inc. to facilitate the use of the service, which will debut in the U.S. in October. We believe that the adoption of this mobile payment technology, which is targeted toward retailers, and NCR’s years of experience in serving the retail sector will allow it to forge ahead of its peers. NCR believes that Apple’s entry will stimulate broader adoption of the technology, as Apple’s loyal customer base is a big advantage. Thus, this integration will help NCR to strengthen its position in the point of sale This new method of (POS) market and enhance payment will also help to its customer base. reduce complexities in The announcement of Apple managing ATMs, point of Pay is important to NCR, as sale, e-commerce and mobile it drives forward mobile payment or banking payment technology, and transactions. It will simplify with it, the ability for more transactions by providing secure digital payments and privacy and protection of enhanced digital marketing information. capabilities. www.atmandcards.com
Feedback from residents have been positive and the younger The demonstrations will be held folks are taking to it without every hour upon request and will hesitation, due to their take less than five minutes. The machine accepts cash, checks, familiarity with technology,” credit cards and debit cards. There he said. “I think that this is a $2.95 fee charged when using machine is so easy to use that once you use it, you will like debit and or credit cards, but it it.” Residents will still be able accepts cash and checks without to pay their bills in person. any added fee. Instructions on how to use the
Huawei Philippines seeks central bank's OK on virtual teller machines.
Registration open for Middle East ATMs 2014
ATMmarketplace
Chinese tech giant Huawei is looking to expand its virtual teller machine footprint into the Philippines, according to a report by GMA Online. The company's Huawei Technologies Philippines Inc. division reportedly is seeking permission from the country's central bank, Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas, to introduce its VTM into the Philippines financial service sector's ATM mix. Huawei Business Development Manager Dennis Benipayo has said that the company is prepared to launch VTMs on a commercial scale, but first must secure "guidance" from the central bank saying that the VTM is an acceptable iteration of the ATM. According to the report, Benipayo said Huawei was "trying to talk to BSP," but the bank said in an email that it had not received a formal inquiry from Huawei.
The ATM Industry Assocation and RBR, joint producers of "Middle East ATMs 2014," are now accepting registrations for the Dec. 8–9 conference in Dubai, which will be held at the Radisson Blu Deira Creek. The event will feature an extensive speaker program based on deployer case studies with presenters from UAE, Kuwait, Turkey, Egypt and Iran, as well as other experts from outside the region. Topics on the program include: The role of ATMs in a multi-channel environment ATMs and the global funds transfer opportunity; Continued on page 3
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10 Banks Execute Payment Solution of National Electronic ID Card
Mr. Chris Onyemenam, Director-General, NIMC
The NIMC has said 10 out of the 13 banks that have signed agreements with it to implement the payment solution of the National electronic ID (National eID) card have executed the agreement. However, apart from Access Bank, which is implementing the pilot payment solution of the scheme, the rest have to wait for the next phases. Access Bank is implementing the pilot with a view to ensuring the success of the payment solution applet of the card, after which the others will follow in tow. According to THISDAY online, Zenith Bank, United Bank for Africa, Unity Bank, Skye Bank and First Bank are part of the 10 banks that would join in subsequent phases. Mr. Chris Onyemenam, Director-General, NIMC, while addressing a special session for select media executives, noted that the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) specifically asked the commission to encourage and ensure all banks and payment platforms to participate in the National e-ID card scheme. Giving an update on the harmonisation of various biometric registration platforms as directed by the Federal Government, the NIMC boss noted: “Part of the update is that we have fibre connections to all them, 14 of them that we consider critical in terms of meeting the threshold of identity data that is considered significant to warrant a fibre connection, others are websites. And then, on the cards that we are distributing, there are applets that address the issue of harmonisation with these institutions.
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EMP partners with Afghani payment card switch APS Emerging Markets Payments (EMP), the leading electronic payments processing company in the Middle East and Africa (MEA), has announced the signing of an exclusive technology and center of excellence partnership with Afghanistan Payments Systems (APS), the local domestic payment card switch in Afghanistan. The agreement will allow EMP to work with all Afghan banks in partnership with APS, providing fast, reliable and secure electronic payment card processing for ATMs, POS and remote card not present (CNP) transactions such as bill payments and recurring payments. "Afghanistan is a country of immense potential," said Paul Edwards, Executive Chairman of EMP. "With sound infrastructure and growing demand for payment solutions, the Afghan market represents a remarkable opportunity. As we develop close ties with our local partners, EMP will showcase its skills as an industry leader to help move the country towards a more financially diverse and customercentric payments environment." According to media reports, by the end of 2012 more than 70 percent of Afghan government employees received their salaries electronically compared to just 1 percent in 2006.
Although fewer than 5 percent of Afghans have bank accounts, approximately 65 percent have mobile phones and nearly 90 percent of the population lives in areas with mobile network coverage, so there is great potential for new payment methods. "At APS, we view our partnership with EMP as a strategic step towards offering the Afghan market cuttingedge payment processing solutions," said Zaheer Bawar, Managing Director of APS. "At APS, we are working relentlessly to ensure that we operate in accordance with the highest international standards for the industry. We believe our partnership with EMP will enable us to go to market faster and will also provide our client banks in Afghanistan with access to high-quality services and state-of-the-art solutions." EMP is expanding quickly across the wider MEA region, having opened its first branch in Nairobi, Kenya in June of this year to join the company's offices in Cairo, Egypt; Amman, Jordan; Lagos, Nigeria; Dubai, UAE; Cape Town and Johannesburg, South Africa. The smart card processing pioneer serves 130 banks across MEA and has grown in tandem with the electronic payments industry, which is still in the emergent stage across much of the region.
Registration open for Middle East ATMs 2014 Who is accountable for great customer service The future of ATMs in an increasingly cashless society and ATM benchmarking to improve performance. ATMIA is offering marketing opportunities for exhibitors and sponsors. Those interested can obtain information by emailing Amanda Hardy or by viewing the exhibitor/sponsor page at the ATMIA website. The association also is offering reduced rates for delegates who take advantage of early bird registration. Discounted rates are also available for banks, first-time attendees and ATMIA members. For delegate inquires and information about group discounts, contact Erika Navarrete.
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Card payment network RuPay sees boost from government banking scheme A government drive to expand banking services in India is giving a boost to homegrown card payment network RuPay in Mumbai, which expects to quadruple the number of users by March and make debit cards more acceptable in a nation where cash is still king. Started in 2012 by a company owned by 10 local and foreign banks, RuPay competes with global payment firms Visa Inc and MasterCard Inc for the few customers in Asia's third largest economy able to afford a debit or credit card. As of July, banks issued just under 435 million payment cards in India, a nation of 1.3 billion people. Most were debit cards. RuPay's share of daily card transactions, however, remains small compared with the global firms, which are more established, offer both debit and credit cards and are accepted by more retailers. RuPay currently offers only debit cards. RuPay users account for just 1.5 percent of daily card transactions of almost one million at retailers, said A.P. Hota, chief executive of the National Payments Corp of India(NPCI), which runs RuPay. Hota said the payments network was set to grow rapidly from the government's socalled financial inclusion scheme,
which aims to ensure the majority of households has a bank account within months.
market share, but said the country was amongst the world's fastestgrowing payments markets.
Under the scheme launched late in August, Indians who open a bank account for the first time automatically get a RuPay card.
"We believe Visa is well-positioned competitively," Uttam Nayak, group country manager of India and South Asia, at Visa, said in emailed comments, adding his company welcomed competition.
Hota said the number of RuPay users has now almost doubled from 23 million at the end of July. By March next year, he expects that number to rise to 160 million, with more than 60 percent of the increase coming from the government scheme. "Jan Dhan itself would provide a big opportunity for the domestic card brand to be a formidable force," said Hota, referring to the financial inclusion scheme, Jan Dhan Yojana, which means People's Wealth Scheme. "RuPay Card transactions are just a drop in the ocean at the moment. But drop by drop we are increasing our size." NPCI is also trying to lure more customers by charging banks lower fees than Visa and MasterCard, Hota added.
NPCI's shareholders include India's biggest bank, the State Bank of IndiaBSE -0.06 %, and foreign lenders Citibank and HSBC. The central bank has a nominee on its board. The organisation plans to launch RuPay cards that will be accepted overseas through a partnership with Discover Financial Services, Hota said, and is also in talks with Japanese card network JCB about a partnership. RuPay had aimed to issue credit cards by March 2015, but those plans have now been delayed by the government scheme, Hota said. "Rural acceptance of the Jan Dhan cards will be our priority," he added.
Visa, the world's largest credit and debit card company, declined to give its India
Indian engineering students develop ATM security tool Four students of electronics and communication engineering at India’s MS Ramaiah Institute of Technology have created an ATM security system that can detect the masked face of an ATM bandit. The invention uses automated real-time and vision-based technology. Project guide Nuthan Prasad said the device uses cameras to capture an image of the attacker’s eyes. With this information, the device maps out the geometrical proportions of the individual’s face, providing an aid to identification. "We focused on developing a security system with video surveillance feeding two cameras,” said Ajaya HS, an engineering student who worked on the project. “It can be used at railway stations, airports or any other public place." According The Times, the team might ask the government to take a look at the system to make ATMs safer. The report did not say whether a would-be robber could foil the system by wearing sunglasses.
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Why the ATM Industry should embrace Apple Pay Since the release of the iPhone 6 and Apple Watch – complete with NFC and digital wallet – many will see it as an attack on cash and ATMs. For the ATM industry it should come as a strong guide for the innovation that could occur within the industry.
and as a novelty initially. For the ATM industry it shows that contactless will be a key part of the future of transactional banking and will be a feature that ATM users could gain great value from. If the direction that Apple is taking is to try
So what guidance should the ATM industry take from the iPhone 6, and in particular Apple Pay? Apple announced that the iPhone 6 will include near field communication (NFC) technology. This allows the device to communicate with other devices around it, be it other smartphones or different devices completely – such as POS systems. Apple’s primary feature built around this is a digital wallet and payments system, Apple Pay, which allows users to store their debit and credit cards on their iPhone and pay for items in stores using just their phone.
The first objective of any mobile wallet taking over a debit/credit card as a means of payment competes with cash as a payment method – there’s no getting around it. However, the second objective helps encourage a greater access to cash by giving the user more options to be able to withdraw at the ATM. For example, if an ATM has contactless withdrawals enabled (as a large number of La Caixa ATMs across Spain have since 2012) and a customer forgets their debit card, then by having an NFC-enabled smartphone with debit card information installed, it means cash at the ATM is still accessible. The ATM industry should embrace this opportunity rather than seeing it only as a threat. The potential to be able to interact with the device, that potential consumers see as key to their lifestyle may increase their perceived value of ATMs in their banking routine. Apple Pay may increase awareness of other payment methods competing with cash, but it won’t change the underlying value of what cash provides, choice.
This technology builds upon the pre-existing technology used in contactless debit/credit cards, of which there are now over 250 million in circulation across the world. While the vast majority of these are in the Far East, China and Western Europe, it is expected that circulation and usage growth in the US will dramatically increase following the complete rollout of EMV (chip and pin). While NFC has been included in Android devices for the past few years, it has yet to catch on (via mobile usage) and there had been speculation that it would take Apple’s adoption for it to become mainstream. Many see NFC as potentially overcomplicating a simple process and due to this its acceptance may start slowly
There are two key usages for plastic card which are as a means of payment and as a means of withdrawing cash.
The ATM industry now needs to innovate and embrace the opportunity (and challenge) that this technology and usage brings, with new features and the and transform the smartphone into also potential for a stronger role in the being users’ wallets, then users will expect to future of banking. be able to interact with ATMs and withdraw cash using these.
You can now buy shares via an Emirates NBD ATM Emirates NBD customers will be able to listed. Small investors have until Emaar is offering 1.9 billion shares in its machine. buy shares in the forthcoming initial public offering of Emaar Malls Group via the bank’s ATMs, under a scheme prepared by the lender, Dubai’s biggest. The shares are scheduled to start trading on October 2, with an initial pricing range set for next week. Some 30 per cent of the issue is being reserved for small shareholders, with the balance for big financial institutions. ENBD, one of the lead receiving banks for the offer, confirmed it is planning the initiative, in cooperation with the Dubai Financial Market, where the shares will be www.atmandcards.com
September 24 to apply for shares.
malls business, to raise a minimum of Dh5.3 billion.
To make a purchase on an ATM, a potential investor must have an account with the bank and hold a National Investor Number (NIN) card, which is issued by DFM. A minimum investment of Dh10,000 is required and investors can increase the amount in multiples of Dh1,000. “This hasn’t been done anywhere else in the world as far as I know, but actually the technology is pretty simple,” he added.
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MasterCard: European POS merchant to upgrade to contactless by 2020
Transport for London goes contactless Millions of London Underground passenger s now use their card to gain access to the tubes network. Following an announcement from Transport for London, Underground, DLR and Overground trains are to accept contactless payments. This decision comes as mobile operator EE sets out plans to support NFC payments on London Underground. September 16 marked the launch of London tubes going contactless, as customers will be able to tap their contactless debit card to pay for transport
System. Supporters of contactless payments say that the technology helps to reduce queues – a fact that can be easily seen at any London Underground station during rush hour. Customers using a contactless card do not have to stop and queue to buy a ticket every time they travel. TfL said it expects the move will save it up to £80m in the next five years by reducing payments to the firm providing Oyster cards, though it has no plans to phase the method out. Around 69,000 payments are made using contactless on London Buses every day.
MasterCard has set a six-year timescale for all European POS merchants to shift to contactless as a standard by insisting that all new POS terminals must be capable of accepting 'tap and pay' cards upon deployment as from 1 January 2016. Existing POS terminals can be replaced at end of their natural lifecycle, but at the latest by 1 January 2020.
contactless transactions across Europe tripled and the volume spent on those transactions increased four times. Contactless users tell us on social media that they love tapping and want to tap more. Today's announcement is a much needed stake in the ground, marking the next milestone for contactless."
He says the liability shift will help Chris Kangas, head of contactless fast-track the move to mobile payments Europe at MasterCard payments in Europe, pointing out says: "In 2013 alone the number that by 2018 two in three mobile phones are expected to be NFCof MasterCard and Maestro enabled.
ATM, mobile providers meet up in Ugandan cash-out service ATMmarketplace
MTN Uganda has partnered with Centenary Bank Uganda to allow MTN customers to cash out at all Centenary bank ATMs across the country using its Mobile money network. Customers will be able to get cash from 147 ATMs operated by Centenary in Uganda, including machines at the bank's 62 branches, according to a press release from MTN. The ATM cash out service involves a simple, two-part process.
1. 2. 3. 4.
dial *165#; select "financial services, ATM cash out"; select "ATM withdrawals"; select 1 to generate a fourdigit temporary identification number, received as an SMS; and enter mobile money PIN.
At the ATM: 1. select mobile money 2. select "MTN Mobile Money"; 3. enter phone number; 4. enter amount of withdrawal; and enter TIN.
The ATM then dispenses cash and a transaction receipt. According to a statement from MTN Acting Chief Marketing Officer Kenneth Kiddu “MTN is proud of the Mobile Money product because it has ably contributed to the country's financial sector by improving on customers' micro savings culture, money transfer activities, withdrawals and bill payments to mention but a few.”
How it works: On the mobile phone: www.atmandcards.com
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India's ICICI Bank adds cardless cash withdrawal capability
UBA in partnership with MasterCard and Verve, set out to reward cardholders
ATMMarketplace
ICICI Bank has launched a new service in India that allows ATM users to make cash withdrawals using just a mobile number, according to a news release from the financial institution. The cardless withdrawal service allows an ICICI savings accountholder to transfer money to another person in the country regardless of whether the recipient has a bank account. To transfer funds, the accountholder must first register the recipient's name, mobile number and address through online banking. The bank will then send a four-digit verification code to the sender and a six-digit reference code to recipient, who may use the code to withdraw money from any of more than 11,000 ICICI Bank ATMs across India. "We foresee tremendous growth potential in the usage of electronic payments in our country," said ICICI executive director Rajiv Sabharwal in the release. "Cardless cash withdrawal provides an added facility in an array of electronic payment options that ICICI Bank offers to its customers."
Visa begins tokenization roll out Finextra
Visa has initiated the roll out of its Token Service to US clients. The Visa Token Service will replace sensitive payment account information found on plastic cards with a digital account number or 'token'. Because tokens do not carry a consumer's payment account details, such as the 16-digit account number, they can be safely stored by online merchants or on mobile devices to for e-commerce and mobile payments.
followed by a phased roll-out overseas beginning in 2015. The technology has been designed to support payments with mobile devices using all major mobile platforms.
Ryan McInerney, president, Visa Inc. says: "More than 750 staff from across the Visa organisation globally were involved in the effort, working closely with our initial launch partners - financial institutions, merchants and processors - to ensure the The release of the service has ecosystem was ready. Today, been given added urgency by a we are making these services spate of successful hacks on available to our clients, and merchant card data stores, such believe it will help transform as the recent plundering of card connected devices and account data at Home Depot wearables into secure payment and Target. vehicles." Visa Tokens will be made available to issuing financial institutions globally, starting with US banks next month, and
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MasterCard has its own equivalent Digital Enablement Service, which will be released outside of the US in 2015.
In a bid to deepen Payment System Vision (PSV) 2020, United Bank for Africa said it is partnering Mastercard to reward, as well as encourage cardholders who initiate cashless transactions. According to its Divisional Head of E-Banking, Dr. Yinka Adedeji, the initiative to reward MasterCard cardholders is to encourage the use of the card for local and domestic web and PoS payments. Under the scheme, cardholders who spend N50,000 and above using their card on ATMs abroad, or on the web and PoS in local and international outlets stand a chance to win shopping vouchers as fringe benefits. The initiative billed to end September 30, 2014 and tagged Priceless Holiday, according to him, is an all-expense paid trip to Dubai, which comprises a stay at underwater signature suite overlooking the Ambassador Lagoon Aquarium at Atlantis The Palm, helicopter tour of Dubai, guided tour of the world’s largest mall, luxury dining at the world’s famous Nobu Restaurant and a visit to the top of Burj Khalifa. However, another giant stride in this area by UBA was the partnership with Verve International to reward its Verve debit cardholders tagged UBA Verve Rewards Promo. Adedeji stated that the reward scheme was primarily to encourage the use of the Verve Debit Card for local/domestic web and PoS payments and also VAS (value added service) transactions on the ATM. “Under this arrangement, on a weekly basis 80 cardholders who initiate a minimum of five VAS transactions on the ATM valued at a minimum of N1,000 or more will have the opportunity to win airtime and Nokia mobile phones. While on a monthly basis, a total of 40 cardholders who initiate a minimum of five PoS/web transactions valued at a minimum of N10,000 or more would win N5,000 top up on their e-Cash account. “The grand reward is a monthly cash price of N35,000 for 10 cardholders who initiate transactions at any Verve Reward Merchant location valued at a minimum of N2,000 or more,” he explained. Meanwhile, barely a decade to the target date for the realisation of the Financial System Strategy (FSS) 2020, the plank upon which Vision 2020 rests, is being consolidated, as the apex bank, through deposit money banks, is giving its backing to the goal by ensuring that the payment system of Nigeria remains robust, efficient, effective and secure in order to propel an inclusive growth to the nation’s economy. However, to this effect, CBN launched the revised Payment System Vision 2020, urging operators to mobilize available technology to take e-payment financial services to the grassroots.
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Indonesian banks target islanders with floating ATMs
Groups seek records on ATM charges from CBN CIVIL society groups, among them Public and Private Development Centre, Enough is Enough Nigeria, FoI Coalition and other interested persons and in accordance with the provisions of the Freedom of Information (FoI) Act 2011, have written to the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) requesting for records relating to the directive of re-introducing charges on ATM withdrawals in the Nigerian banking sector and which was made effective from September 01, 2014.
An Indonesian bank has come up with a novel way to bring financial services to the archipelago's hundreds of inhabited islands - floating ATMs. Indonesia is the world's fourth most populous country but only around a fifth of its 250 million inhabitants have bank accounts. One reason for this is that the country is made up of more than 18,000 islands, 900-odd of which are permanently inhabited. According to Bloomberg, Bank Rakyat Indonesia is hoping to address the problem by buying four customised boats which will house ATMs and cruise around, acting as floating branches. Rakyat and Bank Mandiri already send cash to distant islands such as Run via ferry, with armed guards keeping an eye on the money.
UAE banks block debit cards in response to ATM compromise The compromise of a single ATM in Dubai has caused the Central Bank of the UAE to request that banks block the use of a number of debit cards. One of the FIs, Emirates Bank NBD, said it had been directed to suspend activity on 69 cards that were used at the compromised ATM of another bank. Affected cardholders at all banks have been advised that they will be receiving new cards, the report said.
A letter signed by Seember Nyagher, Yemi Ademolekun and Maxwell Kadiri on behalf of the groups says: “According to the directive, the cost of N65 per transaction would apply to the card holder from the 4th “remote-on-us” withdrawal in a month. Considering the need for all banking directives to be made in the national interests, we write to request for documentation that would enable us properly assess how this decision to re-introduce charges on ATM withdrawals was arrived at.” They thereafter sought for information to be provided under the FoI Act relating to the number of ATM machines deployed by individual banks in each state across Nigeria, location of ATM machines deployed by individual banks in each state across Nigeria, records showing the daily transaction down time on ATM machines in each state across Nigeria in the last six months, records of unfulfilled ATM requests compared to fulfilled ATM requests by individual banks across Nigeria as well as records indicating how much each bank in Nigeria has spent to maintain its ATM infrastructure in the last years. They also want the CBN to avail them of records showing the amount each bank in Nigeria paid to other banks for remoteon-use transactions in the last two years, number of complaints about ATM services/transactions disaggregated by bank, records of stakeholder consultation meetings that led to the reintroduction of the ATM charge for remote-on-use transactions, a list of attendees at the stakeholders meeting, the interest group represented by each attendee, certified true copy of the minutes of the stakeholders meetings and resolutions reached at the stakeholders consultations and certified true copy of minutes of the meeting of the CBN board at which the decisions to re-introduced ATM charges was finally adopted. “In accordance with the FoI Act 2011, we kindly request for this information to be made available to us as soon as possible but in any event, not later than seven days from the receipt of this letter”, the letter concluded.
ATMandCards aggregates news about the ATM and card industry in Nigeria, Africa and the rest of the world. What we do? News, Issues, Analysis, Awareness and Advocacy. If you would like to support us please contact us. Editor: Geraldine Ugbaja. Telephone +234-7033-4533-66, Website: www.atmandcards.com, Facebook page: facebook/www.atmandcards.org Twitter: www.twitter.com/atmandcards, Email: geraldine@cubedgem.com,g.ugbaja@yahoo.com. ATM and Cards newsletter is a weekly publication published by Cubedgem Transact Services. 18, durojaye Close. Akute. Lagos.
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