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The Pulse electronic funds transfer network and ATM independent sales organization Cardtronics Inc., both based in Houston, experienced little, if any disruption, to their operations because of Hurricane Ike, a Category 2 storm that wreaked havoc upon parts of southeast Texas over the weekend. Both companies enacted business-continuity plans, which included transferring key operations and personnel to alternative locations when it became apparent Ike would hit the Houston area. The hurricane disabled approximately 327 ATMs Cardtronics owns or operates in the Houston and Galveston areas. The machines stopped operating because of power outages and downed communication lines, J. Christopher Brewster, Cardtronics chief financial officer, said in a statement today. "We expect these machines to return to service as the issues are addressed in the coming days," Brewster added. Cardtronics moved key operations to back-up sites in Dallas and Portland, Ore., Jack Antonini, Cardtronics CEO, said in a statement. The hurricane did not damage Cardtonics' headquarters, and the company intends to move operations back to Houston today, Antonini says. Pulse switched operations to its Dallas processing location, the company said today.
