Pakistani bank customers, already bearing various charges for using different services, may face another fee on account of receipts and balance inquiry from Automated Teller Machines (ATMs) in the coming months.
The news of these charges created a buzz on social media after a prominent bank announced that it has introduced a new charge of Rs. 2.5 on recipients printed while using ATMs.
Not all the banks have introduced the charges yet, but a few banks have rolled out this extra burden on customers. A few banks have also notified their customers through their schedule of charges notifications that they will be charged an amount of Rs. 2.5 for getting a receipt and information of their account or balance inquiry through ATM.
However, very few customers pay attention to such notification messages.
A majority of the banks have mentioned in their schedule of charges that consumers will be charged Rs. 2.5 for the printing of receipts for using the ATM of other bank or for 1Link facility
ProPakistani’s research has revealed that the banks include
- Allied Bank
- Bank Al-Habib
- Meezan Bank
- Bank Alfalah
- Standard Chartered
- Habib Metropolitan Bank
- Faysal Bank
- Askari Bank
- JS Bank
- UBL
However, a few banks came out with the clarification that these charges are not imposed, at least at this point, upon them for using ATM services. Here are the links to the details of bank charges 2021 by HBL and MCB.
Clarification from State Bank of Pakistan (SBP)
The central bank did not instruct the commercial banks, but it allowed them to charge for a fee for various services, which the banks conveyed to the media and the customers, through its official communiqué.
HBL Confirms
Habib Bank Limited (HBL) confirmed to ProPakistani that the SBP has not given any instructions on charging customers for the printing of ATM receipts. This initiative is part of a “GO GREEN” exercise by 1Link to encourage customers to avoid unnecessary use of paper and keep the environment clean.
Clarification by 1Link
1Link, the payment switch operator, which provides ATM connectivity services to almost all banks in Pakistan came up with a unique justification in its official statement.
ATM users have probably observed that ATM booths are littered with receipts, which is not good for the environment. As far as security is concerned, leaving the receipts comprising account details in the ATM’s bin is also risky for customers.
Several customers unnecessarily command for balance inquiry or account statement that may cost to banks, which claim to spend undue money on the printing of the receipts and the use of the network.
1Link explained that SMS service is free that could be used alternatively. However, this is not true at all. For instance, many banks do charge an amount ranging from Rs. 50 to Rs. 75 plus tax monthly, although the central bank directed them to make SMS service free of cost.
Despite making billions in profit with tremendous growth every year banks can not bear this expense for the customers. Recently, some banks have introduced WhatsApp service providing various services to the customers.
Why Some Banks Are Not Charging?
In 2012, as many as 30 banks introduced a flat fee of Rs. 15 on cash withdrawal by customers from ATMs of other banks using the 1Link switch. On this move, the Competition Commission of Pakistan (CCP) slapped a heavy penalty of Rs. 770 million upon the banks, 1Link and Pakistan Banks Association (PBA).
The action was taken as the customer was left with no choice by the banks and the stakeholders were involved in setting a price, which was not a competitive practice. The complete order can be read here.
The case is still pending in court, however.
Almost all banks had revised up ATM charges from Rs. 15 to Rs. 18.75 per transaction; not all at once but in phases, during the last couple of years.
Now, the fee of Rs. 2.5 on printing of receipts or balance inquiry is on the cards. One after another, the banks will likely impose the charges on the customers. Some banks might use it as a marketing strategy to their advantage and refrain from this practice. For now, it is anyone’s guess.
2.5 ki jagah 10 Rupee Lagaio :
SMS to Ati hai KUCH Bank Within 24 Hours Bank Statement Behj Dete hai Mini :
Kafi hai Parchi Wo Bhi Ek Nazar K Liye
Behtar to Shwing on Screen For 10 Seconds after getting cash :
Very good initiative. Fees should be added for morons who just want to waste paper. There are other ways to check your balance. Fees should be increased even more
another way only for the person who is educated. which are no educated poor people what they can do. do not only thinking yourself.
this is BS, if they are really concern about saving tree they should announce all the money they gather from receipts charges they will invest in growing new trees, using climate change issue to earn profit.
SCB has notified that they are not charging any fees for receipt printing.
Dear Client, SCBPL does not currently charge its clients for paper receipt printing and balance inquiry using SCBPL & 1Link ATMs. All applicable charges are as per bank’s schedule of charges which is updated on our website and any subsequent changes to the SOC will be communicated to you using appropriate communication channels. We would also like to clarify that State Bank of Pakistan has not issued any instructions to charge for ATM receipts.
Fee for printing paper is not bad at all but alternately sms service should be made free of cost.
1st of all, go and get your research correct ed… Crap material is being posted on propakistani now…. Zero research … All banks provide free sms alerts now on ATM transactions… Monthly charges are charged for transactions over bank counter. You people are misleading public at large.
Like one person’s comment . The bank’s should pay this extra printing fee to Pakistan’s tree planting schemes to show their good will to this cause
here needs some clarification as Banks are only charging fees to 1Link member banks customer not to their own customers right now i.e. if HBL customer use UBL ATM then UBL customer will charge PKR. 2.5 if receipt is selected as yes, it is a good initiative to end miss use of paper.
Further Banks are offering free Digital Services SMS.
some typo mistake
if HBL customer use UBL ATM then HBL customer will charge PKR. 2.5 if receipt is selected as yes,