KINGSTON, Jamaica – The Opposition People’s National Party is urging ‘s financial institutions to ensure that their Automated Teller Machines (ATMs) are working and equipped with cash as the country is in the midst of the busy Christmas season.

“I get numerous complaints on a daily basis from banking customers who have to travel from location to location to identify a functioning ATM, often at great inconvenience and cost to them,” said Julian Robinson, the opposition spokesman on finance.

“While I acknowledge the negative role crime and vandalism has played in reducing the amount of available ATMs, the current service level availability is simply unacceptable,” Robinson added.

He said that within the context of banks encouraging customers to utilise non-branch channels, it is imperative that their ATMs are functional.

Robinson concluded by saying “I am also calling on the Bank of Jamaica, as the regulatory agency with oversight responsibility for the financial sector, to ensure that these institutions maintain a minimum service level standard.”