NON-BANK ATM OWNERS:
INDEPENDENT SERVICE OPERATORS

Prior to 1996, non-bank ATM owners (Independent Service Operators - ISOs) were rare. Since the ban on ATM surcharges was lifted, there appears to have been a rapid growth in the number of ISOs. It is difficult to determine exactly how many ISOs exist. For instance, it is not even known whether or not a central registry exists in any government agency for tracking ISO ATMs and their locations. The New York City Council was unable to locate a registry of ISOs in New York City.

The survey included in this report includes ATMs owned by banks and ISOs. Surveyors identified ISOs located in grocery stores, drug stores, convenience stores, super stores, train stations, restaurants, bars, check cashing establishments, etc. Some of the ISOs identified in the survey that assess a surcharge on consumers include Automated Technology Machines, Money Tree Pay-O-Matic, Nationwide Money and National Bank Equipment.

A very dangerous trend is that of banks deploying private label machines that appear to be ISOs so they can surcharge their own customers. For years, Bank One has deployed private label machines known as "Rapid-Cash" ATMs which impose surcharges on Bank One as well as non-customers. In Canada, the consumer group Democracy Watch is fighting the Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce, which has rolled out 180 similarly unbranded or "white-label" "Ready Cash" machines. Bank of America maintains unbranded machines in casinos that surcharge its own customers.

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