Bangko Sentral allows banks to install mobile ATMs in provinces

Mobile automated teller machines (ATMs) will be commonplace in some densely populated centers in the provinces soon after the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) lifted the rule restricting such machines to Metro Manila. The BSP revealed Thursday that it has allowed banks to deploy mobile ATMs outside the National Capital Region but has limited the itinerary of the machines to “centers of activity" like university campuses, hospitals, shopping centers and supermarkets. Only banks that are already operating authorized ATMs may send out the mobile units. BSP regulations still require the banks to secure insurance coverage for the ATMs. The BSP said there are 9,592 ATMs all over the country and 6,252 of them are on banks’ premises while 3,340 are off-site ATMs. Some 8,227 ATM units are owned by universal and commercial banks while thrift banks have 1,178. Rural banks and cooperative banks have 187 ATMs. — ELR/VS, GMA News