Bank introduces charitable cash machines

Wednesday, November 2, 2005

HSBC has become the first UK bank to allow charitable donations to be made through an ATM.

Beginning with BBC Children in Need, customers will be able to use one of 2,900 ATMs from today to donate any amount of money from £1 to £1million.

What is also good news for the customer is that any charitable transaction carried out through the ATM will be listed on the customer's bank statement, which can be used as proof when claiming tax relief.

"All of our research suggests that donating to charities via cash machines aids customer convenience and will increase donations," said Michael Geoghegan chief executive of HSBC bank.

"We've therefore launched this in time for HSBC's annual push for BBC Children in Need - a cause which the bank has raised over £5.5 million for over the years."

The scheme is being introduced following a successful similar project carried out in Mexico.

HSBC, which calls itself "the local bank", operates in 77 countries around the world.
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