Citibank, Cardtronics ATM branding pact includes 1,000 Walgreens locations

NEW YORK — A new agreement between Cardtronics and Citibank will make available over 30,000 more surcharge-free ATMs at chain drug and mass retail stores in major metropolitan markets nationwide.

Citibank said customers can now access no-surcharge ATMs at nearly all Costco, CVS Pharmacy and Target stores. The banking giant added that surcharge-free ATM access also is rolling out to Duane Reade stores and most Walgreens locations.

The new Citibank-Cardtronics pact includes surcharge-free access to Citi-branded ATMs in most Costco stores in Chicago, Los Angeles, Miami, New York, San Francisco and Washington, D.C.; CVS stores in Los Angeles, Miami and San Francisco; Target stores in New York and Washington, D.C.; Duane Reade stores in New York City; and Walgreens stores in Chicago and New York.

“We are pleased to team up with Cardtronics to significantly expand fee-free ATM access for our customers at premier retailers nationwide,” Will Howle, head of U.S. retail banking at Citi, said in a statement. “By nearly doubling our network of surcharge-free ATMs, we’re making it even easier for Citibank customers to meet their banking needs on the go.”

Cardtronics, one of the largest ATM owner/operators, said the new ATM branding agreement with Citibank expands its relationship with Walgreens and will bring surcharge-free ATM access to Citi customers at about 1,000 Walgreens and Duane Reade stores in such key markets as metro New York and Chicago.

Plans call for Cardtronics to immediately begin outfitting its ATMs with Citibank branding at those retail locations, with the rollout expected to be completed this spring.

“ATM service is an important convenience for our customers,” stated Moe Alkemade, group vice president and general merchandise manager for Walgreens.  “We are pleased these agreements mean that millions of payment card users will have surcharge-free access to ATMs in our stores. It’s another customer-focused service we’re happy to provide.”

Houston-based Cardtronics is the largest single provider of ATM services to Walgreens. The ATM company currently owns and operates about 6,700 ATMs in Walgreens and Duane Reade stores, up from less than 400 when it began its relationship with Walgreens in 2004.

“Cardtronics has served Walgreens and Citi independently for the past decade. Now we have the opportunity to bring these relationships together in a mutually beneficial way,” commented Jonathan Simpson-Dent, chief commercial officer at Cardtronics. “Cardtronics has become the ATM infrastructure partner for both organizations and their customers, who demand free and easy cash access now more than ever.”