Customers Urged to Check ATM Operators as RM1 Withdrawal Fee Waiver Applies Only to Bank-Owned Machines
KUALA LUMPUR, July 3 — Bank customers have been reminded to identify whether an automated teller machine (ATM) is operated by a bank or an independent provider, as the recently introduced waiver of the RM1 interbank cash withdrawal fee does not apply to all machines.
The clarification follows the implementation of the fee exemption on July 1, which allows customers to make interbank cash withdrawals at bank-operated ATMs without paying the RM1 charge that was previously imposed.
In a joint statement, The Association of Banks in Malaysia (ABM), together with other industry bodies, explained that the exemption is limited to ATMs owned and managed by banking institutions nationwide.
According to the associations, customers can easily identify a bank-operated ATM by looking for the branding displayed on the machine. Bank-owned ATMs typically feature the name and logo of a single banking institution on both the exterior of the terminal and the transaction screen.
By comparison, ATMs operated by independent, non-bank providers generally display the logos of multiple banks. Transactions carried out at these machines may still be subject to the standard withdrawal fee despite the nationwide fee waiver introduced earlier this week.
The industry-wide initiative was implemented through collaboration between member banks, banking associations and Payments Network Malaysia Sdn Bhd (PayNet) to remove the RM1 fee previously charged when customers withdrew cash from another bank’s ATM.
The banking industry said the measure forms part of broader efforts to reduce everyday banking costs and provide greater convenience for the public by making cash withdrawals across participating bank ATM networks more affordable.
The associations added that the initiative reflects the industry’s commitment to supporting consumers by easing routine banking expenses while improving access to essential financial services.
Customers seeking additional information on how the waiver is being implemented, including any institution-specific arrangements, are encouraged to refer to their respective banks’ official websites, mobile banking applications or customer service centres.
The clarification comes as banks continue informing customers about the distinction between bank-operated and independently operated ATMs to help ensure users understand where the RM1 fee exemption applies and avoid unexpected charges when making interbank cash withdrawals.
