EAM: Together Everyone Accomplishes More. Sure, it might sound corny, but it's also true. People working together as a team are more successful than individuals working alone. Most of the time, if we want to effect change, we need many voices coming together to make a difference. The ATM industry is no exception.

The global ATM industry is a $14 - $15 billion business. There are more than 1 million ATMs in the world with an estimated transaction revenue of $10 billion. With a market that large, someone must go to bat and serve as a voice for this industry. The ATM Industry Association (ATMIA) has stepped up to the plate.

ATMIA is a six-year-old nonprofit trade association that stresses the aspects of the ATM industry that require collaboration. "The goal of ATMIA is to serve all businesses and groups in the ATM industry and promote 'co-opetition,' so that the ATM market 'pie' can be bigger and better, to everyone's advantage," said Lana S. Harmelink, International Director of Operations for ATMIA.

ATMIA's more than 500 members include manufacturers, deployers, ISOs, private owners and financial institutions, as well as providers of related products. Currently the Association has six chapters spanning 20 countries, but it's not showing any signs of slowing down.

"We aspire to be the single premier global independent trade association for the ATM industry with fully operational chapters in every major market of the world by 2008," Harmelink said.

There are many benefits of ATMIA membership, but perhaps the most valuable is the opportunity to make a difference in the ATM industry through collective political representation. To that end, the Association established the ATMIA Government Relations Committee in January 2004.

The committee addresses state and federal legislation to regulate the ATM industry and provides members with an opportunity to contribute to the legislative process affecting their businesses. ATMIA has also established an Industry Mutual Defense Fund and is able to lobby on political issues through its law partners, Shaw Pittman, LLP.

Keeping an eye on political issues is important, but ATMIA also understands that the industry needs consumer confidence to survive. ATMIA members are committed to making ATM transactions safe and secure.

"Without the consumer confidence that has made the use of ATMs an everyday convenience for millions of Americans, our industry would suffer," Harmelink said. "We are in a time where we must renew emphasis on the security of the ATM services infrastructure both in the U.S. and globally...industry growth, evolution of technology, the increasing sophistication of criminal attacks and the new realities after Sept. 11, 2001 make such security not a luxury, but a necessary mandate."

As part of its efforts to reduce fraud, ATMIA created the Global ATM Security Alliance (GASA) in June 2003. GASA is a worldwide alliance of card schemes, law enforcement agencies, ATM networks, associations and manufacturers. Its purpose is to combat the threat of cross border ATM crimes, such as debit card fraud, skimming and ATM scams.

The Alliance produces international security best practice manuals, global fraud alerts and analyses of crime trends. In fact, earlier this year, GASA published an International ATM Crime Directory that categorized nine types of ATM crime.

It also recently achieved a world-first by launching a global ATM Crime Information System, which generates reports on ATM crime patterns. The global database incorporates the nine crime categories, enabling all users to apply the same global crime classifications.

In addition to the legislative information and research data ATMIA provides, members can take advantage of a variety of other benefits, such as discounts for ATMIA conferences and exhibitions and access to the member contact database. Members also receive a quarterly newsletter, The ATMIA Post, which includes regulatory updates.

ATMIA members can also access the ATM Industry Best Practice Online Resource Center, which provides international security best practice manuals for the ATM business lifecycle so that those seeking to enter the ATM marketplace can have a complete understanding of what will be required.

ATMIA members can also take advantage of the members-only insurance program, which is tailored to meet the unique needs of the ATM industry. The program is underwritten by Lloyd's of London and offers worldwide claims handling and volume discounts for multiple ATMs and security enhancements.

In addition to coverage for unusual cash loads, high volumes and non-standard risks, the ATMIA insurance program offers coverage for physical ATM damage, armored car companies, loss of revenue and employee dishonesty.

ATMIA has also established advisory groups to ensure that all segments of the ATM industry have the opportunity to participate in making policy recommendations to the ATMIA boards. There are advisory groups for ATM manufacturers, ATM data processors and ATM service organizations.

Additionally, in January 2004, ATMIA formed the ISO Committee to provide ISOs the opportunity to participate in making recommendations to the ATMIA Executive Board. The Association also has a committee for sponsoring financial institutions. This committee's goal is to provide a forum for the discussion of risk associated with ATM ISO sponsorship and to form procedures for institutions to implement.

ATMIA is an organization created by and for the ATM industry. The Association understands that when members work together, the ATM industry continues to grow and prosper, which benefits everyone involved. Therefore, they provide a forum for education, networking, guidance and support.

"Our dream is to provide a voice for our members and our industry in order to protect, educate and grow the industry in our core markets today, and in every other major ATM market in the world," Harmelink said.