Jamaican banks urged to bolster ATM services during Christmas season

As Jamaica gears up for the festive Christmas season, Julian Robinson, the Opposition Spokesman on Finance, is calling upon financial institutions to take immediate action to guarantee the proper functioning and cash supply of their Automated Banking Machines (ABMs). 

Robinson’s concerns stem from the growing number of complaints he has received from frustrated customers struggling to locate a functional ABM.

Rising frustration among customers

Robinson acknowledges the detrimental impact of crime and vandalism on the availability of ATMs in the country. 

However, he asserts that the current level of service availability is, in his words, “simply unacceptable.” 

He emphasizes that banks actively encourage customers to utilize non-brand channels, making it imperative that their ATMs remain fully operational.

Demand for regulatory oversight

In addition to urging financial institutions to take responsibility for their ABMs, Robinson has called upon the Bank of Jamaica to fulfill its oversight role in the financial sector. 

He insists that the central bank should ensure that banks “maintain a minimum service level standard.”