BML ATMS in 90 islands, plans to place ATMs in remaining islands next year

130 ATMs are to be placed in the islands without one within the next year in accordance with the government's pledge to offer ATM services in all islands.

The MoU for this project was signed today between Bank of Maldives (BML) and the Ministry of Economic Development at a ceremony held at the President's Office.

In launching this project, a BML ATM has been set up in Alif Dhaalu Omadhoo, this is BML's 150th ATM.

BML CEO Mohamed Shareef said that BML has placed ATMs in 90 islands, and targets to palace ATMs in all remaining islands as well by the end of next year. Under the project, ATMs will be placed in two phases.

Under the first phase, ATMs will be placed in 17 islands within the first three months of 2025.

The first ATM was placed in Maldives by BML In 2000.

With the 130 ATMs to be placed next year, the total number of BML ATMs will reach 250.

Shareef said that, at present, over 15 million transactions are conducted via their ATMs. Once ATMs are placed in all inhabited islands, customers will be presented further convenience in accessing bank services, he said.

"This bank is bringing international level financial solutions and offering convenience to customers. While over 500,000 cards have been issued, we have affiliations with major card and payment networks, allowing our customers to use cards across the world," he said.

BML has the highest number of customers in the country, with its payment systems used in over 7000 businesses.

Economic Minister Mohamed Saeed said that in the first half of next year, ATMs will be placed in 47 islands, with the remaining 56 islands getting ATMs in the last six months of the year.

"Not just ATMs, financial inclusion is very important. Citizen's empowerment and means of increasing income needs to promoted in communities," he said.

He said that in this age, to achieve financial inclusiveness, people will not have to visit offices to obtain services.

"Placing Dollar ATMs is also a pledge of the President. It is a pledge of his to do this in some islands. Along with that, access will also be arranged to modern payment gateways."