LEAWOOD, Kan.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--
Euronet Worldwide, Inc. (NASDAQ: EEFT), a leading payments provider in
Europe, announces the deployment of the first Independent and Shared
Automated Deposit Terminal (ADT) Networks in Europe. Euronet has already
signed network participation agreements with several banks, including
Alior Bank S.A., Bank Handlowy w Warszawie S.A. (Citi Group) and Bank
Pocztowy S.A. (Post Bank) in Poland as well as with Citibank Europe plc.
in Romania, among others. These agreements allow customers from these
banks to deposit cash into any Euronet branded deposit terminal in their
respective country.
According to the European Central Bank, cash usage in Europe continues
to grow. Between 2002 and 2010, the average annual growth of cash Euros
used for transaction purposes was approximately 3.6%. With cash use on
the rise, retailers and consumers look for convenient, reliable ways to
deposit cash earned without incurring additional cost. Euronet's new
Independent ADT Networks in Poland and Romania feature off-site ADTs
located in high-traffic retail locations which have extended hours,
making access more convenient than traditional bank branches. ADTs allow
customers to enjoy real-time access to their funds, reduced wait times
at the bank branch and a variety of deposit types including account
deposits and deposits for credit card or loan payments, with additional
transaction types to be supported in the future.
Euronet's new Independent Deposit Networks are the first to be operated
with participation from multiple banks. Automating cash deposits allows
banks to extend their branch services without incurring the cost of
operating additional branch locations, reduces deposit processing costs
and enhances customer satisfaction.
"Automated deposit technology is not a novelty in Europe. In Poland
alone, there are approximately 2,000 ADT devices. The uniqueness of
Euronet's solution is the fact that its ADTs form the first Independent
and Shared Network, which is not owned or operated by one specific bank.
This enables customers of all network participating banks to deposit
cash and allows banks to expand their footprint without additional
investment," stated Nikos Fountas, Senior Vice President and Managing
Director, Europe EFT Processing Segment. "Given the operational
complexity and high cost to run ADTs (as compared to ATMs), it is
imperative for banks to consider the business case for participating in
an Independent and Shared ADT Network," added Mr. Fountas.
"We are pleased to cooperate with Euronet in this pioneering project in
Poland. With 230 proprietary ADTs currently located in our bank
branches, we understand the value of automated deposits. Our decision to
participate in Euronet's ADT Network is driven by the need to extend
automated deposit functionality beyond bank branches and enable
customers to deposit and access their funds faster and easier than ever
before," stated Mr. Artur Owsianka, Card Center Director at Alior Bank
S.A.
With the launch of these new Independent ADT Networks, locally named
"Wplatomat" in Poland and "Depomat" in Romania, Euronet builds on its
position as a leading deployer of Independent ATM Networks in Europe,
where customers from network participating banks can withdrawal cash
from any Euronet ATM free of charge. In Poland, the Euronet ADT Network
has already gained industry acclaim, earning a 2011 "Hit of the Year"
Award from the Polish banking weekly, Gazeta Bankowa, for the deployment
and operations of the first such network.
"Given Euronet's current 20 agreements for ATM Network Participation in
Poland and two in Romania, the potential for signing additional deals
for ADT Network Participation is tremendous," stated Mr. Fountas. Our
existing contracts for ADT services in multiple markets, including
Poland and Romania, are a huge asset as we understand the intricacies of
this relatively new technology and are able to apply best-practices to
ensure smooth operations and high up-time for our customers," added Mr.
Fountas.
About Euronet Worldwide, Inc.
Euronet Worldwide is an industry leader in processing secure electronic
financial transactions. The Company offers payment and transaction
processing solutions to financial institutions, retailers, service
providers and individual consumers. These services include comprehensive
ATM, POS and card outsourcing services, card issuing and merchant
acquiring services, software solutions, consumer money transfer and bill
payment services, and electronic distribution for prepaid mobile phone
time and other prepaid products. Euronet's global payment network is
extensive - including 15,614 ATMs, approximately 69,000 EFT POS
terminals and a growing portfolio of outsourced debit and credit card
services which are under management in 34 countries; card software
solutions; a prepaid processing network of approximately 607,000 POS
terminals at approximately 294,000 retailer locations in 29 countries;
and a consumer-to-consumer money transfer network of approximately
155,000 locations serving 136 countries. With corporate headquarters in
Leawood, Kansas, USA, and 47 worldwide offices, Euronet serves clients
in approximately 150 countries. For more information, please visit the
Company's website: www.euronetworldwide.com.
Euronet Worldwide
Stephanie Taylor, +1-913-327-4200
Investor
Relations Manager
staylor@euronetworldwide.com
Source: Euronet Worldwide, Inc.
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