The Tribune

SCOTIABANK says it is working with a telecommunications provider to make alternative cash machines available in Exuma after public access to its ATM at Sandals Emerald Bay was restricted, compounding months of complaints about limited banking access on the island.

The bank said it is also in discussions with its partner at Sandals Emerald Bay in an effort to reach a resolution over access to the machine.

The statement comes days after Exuma and Ragged Island MP Chester Cooper warned commercial banks over the deterioration of banking access on Family Islands and said he had been in direct discussions with Scotiabank chief executive Roger Archer about persistent ATM problems in Exuma.

Residents have faced sharply reduced access to cash after Sandals Emerald Bay restricted public use of the Scotiabank ATM on its property, while two other Scotiabank machines on Exuma had reportedly been out of service for months.

Scotiabank yesterday acknowledged the notice restricting access to its machine at the resort.

“A local telecommunications provider is assisting with efforts to make alternative machines available and provide clients with broader access to our banking services,” the bank said.

Scotiabank did not identify the telecommunications provider, specify where the alternative machines would be located or say when they would become available.

It said it was also “actively engaging its partner to reach a mutually agreeable resolution as quickly as possible”.

Mr Cooper said last week that he had been assured by Scotiabank that the problems with its ATM network on Exuma would receive attention. His intervention came amid broader concerns about the retreat of commercial banking services from Family Islands and the dependence of residents and businesses on a small number of functioning cash machines.

The latest difficulty intensified when Sandals Emerald Bay moved to restrict public access to the ATM on its property. Exuma residents had already complained that Scotiabank’s two other machines on the island had been out of service for months.

The loss of easy access to the Sandals machine therefore further narrowed the options available to residents seeking cash.

Mr Cooper has previously pressed commercial banks over Family Island access and said discussions with Scotiabank were aimed at addressing the ongoing service problems in Exuma.

Scotiabank said it remained committed to providing convenient and reliable banking services through its nationwide ATM network.

“We regret any inconvenience caused,” the bank said, “and will continue to keep clients informed as the situation progresses.”