Cash for ATMs doubled over Idul Fitri

DENPASAR: A number of banks in Bali doubled their supply of cash in ATMs during the Idul Fitri holidays in anticipation of higher than normal numbers of withdrawals.

Head of business performance and channel management for PT Bank Negara Indonesia (BNI), Denpasar branch, Made Nariswari, on Tuesday said that during the Idul Fitri holidays there had been an increase in withdrawals that had led the bank to increase the amount of money available by 100 percent from normal days, as reported by Antara news agency.

“As a result of the increased number of transactions, in certain locations the ATMs had to be supplied with cash twice a day,” he said.

An ATM that supplies money in denominations of Rp 100,000 (US$10.54) would be filled with Rp 800 million each time. While, machines using denominations of Rp 50,000 would take Rp 400 million.

During these long holidays, ATM transactions have been recorded at 200 to 250 times per day, a sharp increase compared to normal working days.

A number of employees were assigned to oversee the supply of cash 24 hours a day to the 200 ATMs belonging to BNI.