HOUSTON, June 26, 2007 (PRIME NEWSWIRE) -- Cardtronics, Inc. and ING DIRECT have entered into an agreement allowing ING DIRECT to brand seven Cardtronics ATMs, including those located in ING DIRECT Cafes in Chicago, New York, Philadelphia and Wilmington, Delaware. The ING DIRECT brand will be clearly visible on the ATMs exteriors and transaction screens. ING DIRECT customers will be able to use the ATMs free of charge.
Through its branding agreement with Cardtronics, ING DIRECT, the nation's largest direct bank, will be able to offer its deposit customers free, convenient access to cash whenever they need it. ING DIRECT avoids the capital costs, operational complexities, customer service and cash management tasks associated with traditional bank-owned ATM placements, freeing up time and resources to focus on creating superior products and providing superior customer care.
"Cardtronics was the natural partner to help ING DIRECT provide cash access to our customers," said Arkadi Kuhlmann, President and CEO, ING DIRECT. "Their dedication to customer service and innovation in the retail banking channel aligns closely with our own. We particularly appreciated the ability to expand our customer touchpoints without the expenses and enjoy the many advantages for our customers of an enhanced ATM network."
"ING DIRECT is an innovator who understands the power of the direct banking model, but they also understand the need to provide their customers with free access to their cash in a physical venue, a perfect application of the Cardtronics ATM branding program," said Keith Myers, Cardtronics EVP of Financial Services.
In addition to its branding agreement with Cardtronics, ING DIRECT recently contracted with Allpoint, a Cardtronics company, to provide surcharge free cash access to its customers across the entire Allpoint network of over 32,000 ATMs throughout the United States.
About Cardtronics, Inc.
Headquartered in Houston, Texas, Cardtronics is the world's largest non-bank owner/operator of ATMs with more than 25,000 locations. We operate in every major U.S. market, at over 1,500 locations throughout the UK, and at 500 locations in Mexico. Major merchant-clients include A&P(r), Albertson's(r), Hess Corporation(r), BP(r) Amoco, Chevron(r), Costco(r), CVS(r)/pharmacy, ExxonMobil(r), Duane Reade(r), Rite Aid(r), Sunoco(r), Target(r) and Walgreens(r). Cardtronics also works closely with financial institutions across the United States, including Chase(r), HSBC(r), Sovereign Bank(r), and Wachovia(r), to place their brands on Cardtronics-owned and operated ATMs at major merchant locations. These branded ATMs provide surcharge free cash access for the financial institutions' customers while also increasing brand awareness for the financial institutions. For more information about Cardtronics, please visit www.cardtronics.com.
The Cardtronics logo is available at http://www.primezone.com/newsroom/prs/?pkgid=991
About ING DIRECT
ING DIRECT, the nation's largest direct bank and fourth-largest thrift, is dedicated to inspiring Americans to become a nation of savers. Since its inception in 2000, more than 5 million Americans have entrusted their savings with ING DIRECT, building the bank to $67 billion in assets. Backed by one of the largest financial services organizations in the world, ING GROUP (NYSE:ING), ING DIRECT offers industry leading interest rates, the most advanced innovations in web security and customer service, and a culture of consumer education and advocacy. ING DIRECT is also an FDIC Member and an Equal Housing Lender. For more information on ING DIRECT, or to learn more about the bank's high-value products, including the Orange Savings Account and the Orange Mortgage, visit www.ingdirect.com or call 1-800-ING DIRECT.