ATM National Launches Allpoint; Signs up Pentagon FCU

WASHINGTON -Pentagon Federal Credit Union has entered into an agreement with Allpoint, a surcharge-free ATM network launched on April 2 already claiming to be the largest in the country with 23,000 ATMs in all 50 states. Allpoint is being launched by ATM National, which came on the ATM scene a few years back attempting to have credit unions, banks and others participate in its ATM network. Allpoint did not return calls as of press time, but according to its Web site its network is comprised of ATMs operated by E*Trade Financial and Cardtronics. “Allpoint fills a void in the ATM network marketplace, with its conveniently located ATMs at major national and regional retailer locations,” said Ben Psillas, president of Allpoint To help members find the nearest surcharge-free ATM, Allpoint provides an ATM locator on its Web site at www.AllpointNetwork.com. Typing in a zip code brings up a list of the 20 closest ATMs and a link to a mapping site for additional directions. Pentagon is the first credit union to join Allpoint, and just the second financial. OBA Bank is also a member. “Our members are highly mobile and are widely dispersed in cities and towns across the country. It’s important that we give them an ATM to use where they aren’t penalized with a surcharge when they withdraw money,” said Frank Pollack, President and CEO of Pentagon FCU. “We can’t maintain our `best price’ strategy if we have to build a nationwide ATM network of our own. The costs would eat away at our margins.”