Visa celebrates One Millionth ATM Machine Worldwide

Visa card holders can now get cash and other services from one million Visa automated teller machines (ATMs) in more than 160 countries.

The number of ATMs in the Visa global ATM network has increased significantly over the past 20 years. In early 1985 there were some 13,000 ATMs in six countries. By 1995, the number had increased to 254,000 ATMs in 90 countries. Today that figure has more than quadrupled.

With the growth in the number of ATMs has come increased usage. Last year, the number of Visa/PLUS ATM transactions surpassed one billion for the first time, representing more than US$87.5 billion in cash withdrawals.

“The growth in the Visa global ATM network gives cardholders the confidence to travel to almost any part of the world and know that they will be able to obtain local currency at any time,” said Roger Swales, senior vice president, Global Acceptance and Operations, Visa International. “Visa cardholders expect to be able to choose how they access their funds, whether through debit cards, credit cards or through an ATM. Our goal is to provide that choice and convenience. In doing so, we not only provide a service to Visa/PLUS cardholders but also help them to support local economies through spending on travel and tourism.”

Based on where new ATMs have recently been installed, Visa will celebrate its one millionth ATM at an event in China next month. Between March 2004 and March 2005, the number of ATMs accepting foreign Visa cards in China grew by 234% from 10,092 to 33,706 units, with coverage spanning from major cities to the high plateaus of Tibet.

As host to the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games, China expects tens of thousands of visitors from across the world over the next few years. The World Tourism Organization (WTO) ranks China as the world’s fourth most popular tourism destination, after France, Spain and the United States. Visa cardholders from around the world are projected to spend US$25 billion in mainland China over the next five years. The forecast is based on the strong growth in spending by international Visa cardholders at merchant locations in China.

"Visa believes that a modern, reliable payments infrastructure with wide acceptance and compatibility with international standards enable China to fully capitalize on the huge opportunities generated by the fast growing inbound tourism, extending well beyond 2008. Visa is committed to working with the Chinese government and its member banks to further accelerate the expansion of the acceptance environment.” said Richard Chang, executive vice president and general manager of Visa International for Greater China.

The Visa global ATM network encompasses PLUS, Visa’s global mark for ATMs.

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