BETHESDA, Md., Oct. 23, 2006 (PRIMEZONE) -- Allpoint(tm), America's largest surcharge-free ATM network, announced the signing of nine Arizona credit unions. The Phoenix-based, $1.5b Arizona FCU, anchored eight other Arizona credit unions to provide their members nationwide surcharge-free ATM access.
"This partnership is a testament to the credit union movement," said Ben Psillas, President of Allpoint Network. "By all nine credit unions joining forces to partner with Allpoint, participating Arizona members not only receive unparalleled nationwide surcharge-free access, but also significant cost savings."
"We are committed to increasing the value of credit union membership for both our members and members of other credit unions and Allpoint Network is critical to our value proposition," said Ron Westad, President and CEO of Arizona FCU. "For us, Allpoint is an additional piece of a multiple-tier benefit for our members by allowing us to provide surcharge-free access to cash via national surcharge-free ATM Networks, via a reciprocal network of ATMs owned by Arizona credit unions, and via cash-back at POS terminals. With the addition of Allpoint, our members now have surcharge-free access to cash at over 57,000 ATMs nationwide."
The group of Arizona credit unions joining Arizona FCU in Allpoint membership include the $861m Vantage West FCU, $255m Sun West FCU, $243m Deer Valley CU, $189m Altier CU, $148m Canyon State CU, $148m Tuscon Old Pueblo CU, $65m Pinal County FCU, and $29m Tucson Telco FCU.
Allpoint provides the group of Arizona credit unions more than 400 surcharge-free ATMs across Arizona located at convenient retailers such as Target and Costco.
With more than 32,000 surcharge-free ATMs coast to coast, Allpoint provides members with greater access, convenience, and savings. Participation in Allpoint offers card issuers access to a nationwide physical distribution channel at a fraction of the cost of building and maintaining their own network.
Allpoint's unique membership structure makes it very simple for a credit union to join and even easier for its members to use. Joining Allpoint provides the following benefits:
-- Member credit union ATMs do not participate
-- Card reissuance or processor conversion is not required
-- Card-based pricing provides cost-effective and predictable
cost structure
Allpoint complements any card issuers' current membership in other surcharge-free networks.
About Allpoint
Allpoint, a division of Cardtronics, is America's Largest Surcharge-Free ATM Network, with 32,000 ATMs in leading national and regional merchant locations across the country. Allpoint provides greater access, convenience and savings to customers of financial institutions with limited ATM presence while providing the institution with the tools to compete more effectively for customers. For more information or to find the nearest Allpoint surcharge-free ATM, visit the company's web site at www.AllpointNetwork.com.
The Allpoint Network logo is available at: http://www.primezone.com/newsroom/prs/?pkgid=2368
About Arizona Federal Credit Union
Arizona Federal was established on October 23, 1936 when a small group of City of Phoenix employees pooled their resources to form Phoenix City Employees Federal Credit Union. They started with fewer than 50 members and an average account balance of $5.
The credit union has since expanded to manage over $1.5 billion in assets from 184,000 member accounts in 22 branch locations. It is among the leading credit unions in the nation. For more information about Arizona FCU, visit the credit union web site at www.azfcu.org.