Dear Editor,

The earthquake of October 30, 2023 will leave an indelible mark on our memories.

My own experience occurred while conducting financial transactions in the automated banking machine (ABM) at First Global Bank (FGB) in Mandeville, Manchester.

Just as I confirmed my transaction and my bank card was returned, the earthquake disrupted online connectivity, resulting in failure of the machine to dispense my funds. When I checked my bank balance, I realised the amount was withdrawn from my account; however, I did not receive the money or the standard e-mail notification of the transaction.

As such, I visited the FGB customer service to lodge my complaint and seek redress. I was fortunate that wait time to access their help was 10 minutes and the process of enquiry and completing of documentation for recovery of the money lasted another 35 minutes. Kudos to the efficient customer service representatives at the FGB in Mandeville.

The disruptions caused by the earthquake, however, raises questions about the preparedness of members of the Jamaican banking industry to provide mobile alternatives if an earthquake disables the standard ABMs across the island.

Turkey, an earthquake-prone State, began deploying mobile ABMs in 1998 to quickly restore banking services to its population whenever an earthquake causes disruptions to communication and electrical systems.

While several attempts to rob ABMs have resulted in closure of many access points across Jamaica, we should not let these circumstances prevent us from advocating for every parish to have mobile ABMs that can be deployed during national emergencies.

Let us dare not wait until the big one happens.

Dudley McLean II

Manchester

dm15094@gmail.com