A new white paper, sponsored by the ATM Industry Association,found independent ATM firms deployed more machines in the last fouryears, but made less money. The ATMIA is the trade association forprimarily independent ATM firms.

The trade partnered with Tremont Capital Group, a Boston-basedATM consulting group, to research and write the “U.S. ATM IndustryOverview.” The paper updated a previous paper of the same name lastpublished in 2010.

The new report, published June 23, reported that independent ATMowners pumped $5.5 billion into their ATM fleets over the pastdecade. More money to address additional operational costs, inparticular software and security upgrades, was still accruing.

The paper reported independent, domestic ATM firms deployed 10%more machines over the past four years, but collectively, they lost25% in net income over the same period. Expense as a share oftransaction income increased.

Nonetheless, executives with both the ATMIA and Tremont remainedupbeat.

“Tremont's new research confirms that ATM deployment businessmodels are under pressure from increased costs,” said ATMIA U.S.Executive Director David Tente. “But despite those pressures, theindustry is doing a great job of providing consumers with evengreater convenience in accessing their cash.”

“While the U.S. ATM industry has faced many headwinds in recentyears, it remains resilient and continues to serve an absolutelyessential role in the U.S. economy in regards to cashaccessibility,” said Sam Ditzion, CEO of Tremont Capital Group andauthor of the report.