31 July 2006
The Royal Bank of Scotland (RBS) says that it has seen "an incredible response" to its announcement that it will install an initial 300 new free to use cash machines in the poorest communities in the UK.
Within a few hours of the announcement, its website was inundated with visitors wanting to find out more about the new machines, with over 50 location suggestions being registered in full.
Those registering included a broad cross section of the community such as councillors, MPs and local retailers.
Gordon Pell, chief executive of retail markets at RBS, said that in just six hours the company had received an incredible response from interested parties.
"We believe that we are uniquely placed to deliver our initiative to the UK's neediest communities, and look forward to hearing from even more communities who we can help," he said.
"As we've said before, if there's a will in local communities to find suitable sites, we have a way to make it happen and ensure those with the greatest need have free access to their cash."
The charity Citizens Advice added that it was encouraging to see other banks following suit. HBOS and HSBC have also announced that they are looking into putting more free cash machines in poorer communities.
"We do hope the banks will commit to keeping machines in place for at least three years and that this signals the start of a long-term commitment to providing free cash machines in all communities that have none," a spokesperson from the charity said.
"Having access to free cash machines will make a real difference to thousands of people who can ill afford the high costs they currently face."
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