The National Bank of Anguilla officially opened its sixth ATM on the island on Wednesday, May 28, this time on the premises of the Tomac Plaza in the busy Water Swamp area.

Board Corporate and Managing Staff of NBA and others

NBA’s Chief Executive Officer, E. Valentine Banks, told the gathering: “The Board, Management and Staff of the National Bank of Anguilla are extremely happy that we are now launching this ATM for use by the public. This particular ATM has all the features of the one located at the bank except that we have not yet turned on the deposit taking feature due to testing now being done at the ATM at the main branch.”

Mr. Banks said that customers could use the new ATM to make withdrawals, transfer funds between accounts, perform currency exchange and withdrawal transactions from EC accounts into US dollar accounts, purchase currency and check account balances.

Cutting the ribbon L-R: Oliver and Terrance McDonna and Mr. Banks

“I think it is appropriate for me to announce that some months ago we came to an exclusive arrangement with Cable & Wireless whereby within the next month we hope to make btop-ups on your mobile phones available at a number of our ATMs across the island,” he disclosed. “We also propose to allow bill payments to ANGLEC, Cable & Wireless and Caribbean Cable Communications.”

He continued: “What is NBA’s game plan in launching ATMs across Anguilla? The answer is very simple. People on Anguilla would, as things change, demand convenience in seeking to obtain service. We felt strongly that ATMs would bring much relief to a public which soon will be coping with heavy traffic, tight work schedules and long teller lines in the four small bank lobbies on the island. Today, on Anguilla, the waiting lines at some of these facilities – that’s our ATMs, can be long as well.

“NBA took the plunge and decided to invest heavily in ATMs. We have had some challenges such as break-ins and an assortment of technology issues which we finally seem to have dealt with by enhanced security and technology upgrades. NBA has six functioning 24-hour ATMs with two more to come on stream within the next four months. Those are the re-launching of the Romcan facility and the drive-up ATM at the soon-to-be opened West End Branch. Incidentally the branch will also have two indoor cash dispensers similar to the one at the Valley Branch.”

Mr. Banks further stated that the location of the ATM was carefully thought through and that the decision was based on two attributes. It is located in the Water Swamp in close proximity to George Hill, Statia Valley, The Forest and North Hill. It is located between two popular malls; and the Water Swamp Road is the most heavy-trafficked traditional road on Anguilla and with two malls just off it, an ATM, we believe, would be heavily utilised. We would ask that the people of this neighbourhood take a personal interest in this ATM in assisting us both in maintaining its clean appearance and security. If there appears to be vandalism or suspicious activity around this ATM at any time, we ask that you report it to the police as soon as possible.”

The NBA’s Chief Executive Officer reported that there would be a further expansion of its ATM network to other selected areas over the coming months. He also said that the bank had an ATM mobile unit which would soon be seen around Anguilla.

Mr. Banks expressed gratitude to the owners of Tomac Plaza for affording NBA the opportunity to establish the service facility on their premises.

Principal owner of Tomac Plaza, Oliver MacDonna, was grateful to NBA on behalf of his brothers for giving his company the opportunity to house the ATM.

“It gives me immense pleasure in wishing the entire team of NBA continued success in their endeavour,” he said. “Tomac Plaza is very pleased that NBA has chosen this site…I am inspired and humbled to be an integral part of this opportunity to give back to Anguilla and its people.”

Those involved in the ribbon cutting across the entrance of the ATM were Mr. Banks, Oliver MacDonna and his brother, Terrance MacDonna.

The invocation and blessing of the ATM were done by Assistant Anglican Priest, Rev. Menes Hodge. The programme was chaired by Marisa Gumbs, NBA’s Business Development and Marketing Officer, and the Vote of Thanks was delivered by Caroll Morton, Assistant Manager, Retail Banking. Those in attendance included Joseph N. Payne, First Vice Chairman, and Senior Management Staff.

| Printer-friendly page | Send this article to a friend |

World News