In order to improve the coverage ratio of ATMs (the number of ATMs per branch) and to meet the minimum international standards, it has been decided as under:

• Effective from CY 2013 onwards, all banks shall add one ATM in their network against each new branch to be opened in a CY.
• The banks having less than 1:1 ATM per branch ratio shall cover their existing gap in 5 years starting from CY 2013 @ 20% each year. For this purpose, all the banks shall submit a five year plan latest by November 30, 2012.   The progress in this regard would be reported to SBP on quarterly basis.
• To address operational problems being currently faced by banks relating to ATMs, separate instructions would be shortly issued by the Payment Systems Department, SBP.

2.         Non-compliance to above directives would make the concerned bank(s) ineligible for future branch expansion in addition to any other appropriate penal action under the relevant law.


3.         All other instructions on the subject shall remain unchanged.

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