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<p>The Government-established Payment Systems Regulator (PSR) is closely monitoring
developments in ATM provision. The PSR regulates LINK, the scheme which runs the UK’s
ATM network, and has used its powers to hold LINK to account over LINK’s commitments
to preserve the broad geographic spread of the ATM network.</p><p> </p><p>The PSR
has set out requirements of LINK, including that any cuts to interchange fees (the
fees which fund free-to-use ATMs) must be incremental, with action taken by LINK where
the impact is not as expected. Having implemented two of the four planned incremental
reductions to the interchange fee, LINK has cancelled the third reduction and put
on hold the fourth. The PSR welcomed these adjustments, having stated that LINK must
carefully review its decisions on interchange fees to reflect changing market conditions.
These adjustments gave the PSR further assurances that LINK is committed to making
sure communities do not lose their free-to-use ATMs.</p><p> </p><p>LINK has put in
place specific arrangements to protect free-to-use ATMs more than 1 kilometre away
from the next nearest free-to-use ATM. LINK has also enhanced its Financial Inclusion
Programme by tripling the funding available to ATMs in the most deprived areas of
the UK and undertaken new financial support for ATMs in remote and deprived areas.</p>
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