WASHINGTON, D.C. — America's Community Bankers, on behalf of its member institutions, has joined with the Allpoint Network to provide community bank customers with access to America's largest surcharge-free automated teller machine network. The partnership is exclusive to ACB members.

"The ACB-Allpoint partnership is an extraordinary breakthrough for consumers and community banks," said ACB Chairman William W. Zuppe, who is also chairman and CEO, Sterling Savings Bank, Spokane, Wash. "Access to Allpoint's 30,000 surcharge-free ATMs allows community banks to compete more effectively with the mega- and regional banks by providing their customers with greater access, convenience and savings."

Curtis L. Hage, chairman of ACB Business Partners, Inc., said that in a recent ACB member survey, surcharge-free ATM access ranked the highest among new benefits members wanted. "Feedback from our member banks confirms that unlimited surcharge-free ATM access is important to their institutions and customers, and the partnership with Allpoint is another example of how ACB delivers products and services that benefit member banks," added Hage, who is also chairman and CEO, Home Federal Bank, Sioux Falls, S.D.

"We are very excited about our partnership with ACB," said Ben Psillas, president of Allpoint Network. "ACB member banks can now offer convenience like a big bank, which is proven to attract and retain more customers."

William Kroll, president of ACB Business Partners, said the Allpoint program will help community banks attract new customers by offering them broad local and nationwide surcharge-free ATM access. Allpoint's 30,000 ATMs are conveniently located within many major national and regional retailers, such as Target and Costco.

At the same time, he said, the program will allow community banks to retain customers and to gain that portion of their customers' banking business that now goes to larger institutions. "It's a win-win for consumers and community banks," Kroll added.

The program requires no new investment in technology or reissuance of cards. "The card in a customer's wallet today will work at any of Allpoint's nationwide network of ATMs tomorrow," he said.

Participating banks will pay a one-time implementation fee and a fixed monthly fee based on the number of active cards for unlimited network access. ACB members will benefit from preferred pricing on both fees.

Allpoint, headquartered in Bethesda, Md., was launched in 2003. Allpoint's website (www.AllpointNetwork.com) features an ATM locator that participating institutions can incorporate into their own websites.

About America's Community Bankers
America's Community Bankers is the member driven national trade association representing community banks that pursue progressive, entrepreneurial and service-oriented strategies to benefit their customers and communities. To learn more about ACB, visit www.AmericasCommunityBankers.com.

Contact Information:
Robert Schmermund
(202) 857-3104 (work)
(301) 858-0922 (home)
E-mail: press@acbankers.org

Jim Eberle
(202) 857-3145 (work)
(703) 893-2593 (home)
E-mail: press@acbankers.org