OREANDA-NEWS. On April 15, 2009 AB Parex Bankas has signed an agreement on joining the network of automated teller machines of Nordea, Danske and Ukio Bankas, operated and maintained by the electronic services company First Data Lietuva, reported the press-centre of Parex Bankas.

The current network of about 140 ATMs of the three banks will be supplemented by 63 ATMs of Parex Bankas. These will be gradually connected to the joint ATM network of Nordea Bank Lietuva, Danske Bankas and Ukio Bankas within this summer. The network of four banks will comprise over 210 ATMs. This decision will result in lower operation costs of the four banks, and better customer service quality in both large Lithuanian cities and small towns.

“Parex Bankas, which has 29 branches in eight biggest Lithuanian cities, has developed a large network of 63 automated teller machines in the most convenient locations for the clients. By joining a common ATM network of our partners we will ensure higher service quality for our customers – payment card holders,” says Mrs. Alma Vaitkunskiene, Chairwoman of the Board and Head of Administration of Parex Bankas. Bank clients will be able to use the services of the current ATM network joining Nordea, Danske and Ukio Bankas.

“We consider joining of Parex Bankas to the common ATM network to be a very positive step. It is one of the best examples how companies may reduce their costs and provide added value to their customers by applying common technological solutions during the economic crisis,” states Mr. Algimantas Draugelis, Director of Business Development for the Baltic States of First Data Lietuva. According to him, the joint ATM network scheme enables the banks to save at least one-third of ATM maintenance costs.

The joint ATM network of Nordea Bank Lietuva, Danske Bankas, Ukio Bankas and Parex Bankas will also add to a more convenient location of ATMs, thus better meeting customers' needs.

First Data Lietuva connected the ATMs of Nordea Bank Lietuva and Danske Bankas into a common network in 2006, and Ukio Bankas joined the network in January of 2009. Joint automated teller machines will have uniform marking – the logos of four banks and red and blue stripes. The network is planned to be expanded to 230 ATMs by the end of 2010.