First Data To Create ATM Network In Turkey

First Data Corp.’s recently announced ATM-deployment agreement with Turk Ekonomi Bankasi–BNP Paribas, a Turkey-based bank, illustrates how Turkish banks are trying to encourage more customers not to use branch teller windows. Over the next three years, First Data and Turk Ekonomi Bankasi plan to create a network of 1,250 ATMs deployed in retail and other convenient locations in major cities across Turkey, including Istanbul. Both companies announced the agreement in November. Consumers will be able to withdraw cash and conduct other, undisclosed services at the machines, a First Data spokesperson says in a news release. “This initiative is significant in terms of size and scale and will deliver value to our customers across the country,” Cemal Kismir, Turk Ekonomi Bankasi head of retail banking, said in a statement. “Historically, [Turkey] has been a branch-based culture, where customers stood in line for a long time because everything was done at the branch,” including making loan and utility payments, says Nicole Sturgill, research director for TowerGroup, a Needham, Mass.-based consultancy. “In the last few years, banks in Turkey have done a [180-degree turn] and have invested heavily in all channels. This has resulted in move of all of the typical branch transactions to ATMs and online banking.” The deal will add to the number of ATMs U.S.-based First Data services worldwide. Currently, First Data services more than 400,000 machines by supplying cash and providing maintenance and processing.