COLUMBUS, Ohio -- Alliance One, the national selective-surcharge ATM group managed by Corporate One Federal Credit Union, is now providing surcharge-free access to Pennsylvania residents who receive state-issued benefits and payments via debit cards.

They will be able to utilize Alliance One's 4,000-plus ATMs. Approximately 1,000 CUs, including 23 in Pennsylvania, participate in Alliance Once.

In November 2006, Alliance One reached an agreement with Dallas-based Affiliated Computer Services, Inc. ACS) to provide surcharge-free ATM access to residents of five states (Illinois, Indiana, Ohio, New York and Pennsylvania) who receive state-issued benefits and payments.
Users initially receive a nationally branded debit card with the amount of their child support payment or unemployment benefit loaded onto the card. Ongoing benefits and payment deposits are electronically added to the debit card accounts.

"We feel like this a great way for credit unions to serve the underserved," said Alliance One spokesperson Paul Hixon. "Increased traffic to these ATMs raises awareness of credit unions and generates income for our participants. Even though credit unions are waiving the foreign ATM fees on these ATM transactions, each withdrawal of funds will generate interchange income for the credit union--income that otherwise may not exist."