ATMIA Takes Washington: Driving Urgent Action on Safe Access to Cash

ATMIA recently led a successful Fly-In to Washington, D.C., bringing together industry representatives for a series of meetings with members of Congress and the Senate to discuss key legislative priorities impacting safe cash access and payment choice.

Across two coordinated groups, ATMIA representatives held a total of 14 meetings with lawmakers and staff. Discussions centered on the continued importance of safe, reliable access to cash for communities across the United States and the critical role the ATM industry plays in supporting local economies.

A primary focus was the importance of updating the  Safe Access to Cash Act (S. 3798/H.R. 1631). The legislation is intended to clarify and extend federal protections to ATMs and cash-in-transit operations by ensuring they are covered under existing federal bank robbery statutes. This would help ensure that crimes involving ATMs are treated consistently at the federal level, addressing gaps that have led to uneven enforcement across jurisdictions. The bill also aims to apply federal penalties to ATM-related crimes, helping protect independent operators, small businesses, and off-site ATMs.

The proposed updates do not seek to create an entirely new framework, but rather modernize the existing Federal Bank Robbery Act, enacted in 1934, which made robbing banks a federal crime. to better reflect today’s operating environment. Much of the original statutory interpretation does not account for how ATMs operate today—particularly off-premise machines, third-party operators, and complex cash logistics networks that did not exist when earlier banking protections were written. 

“The law was written when robbers were robbing banks on horseback. It is outdated and does not reflect the technological changes that have occurred over the decades,’ stated Sal Salpietro, ATM UP. 

Lonnie C. Talbert, President ATMIA, added, “This isn’t about creating new policy—it’s about bringing existing law into the modern age. Without modernization, critical protections fall short in both security and enforcement. Our goal is to ensure the law reflects how the ATM industry actually operates today.” Lawmakers were encouraged to consider updates that strengthen clarity around ATM ownership, cash custody during transit, and the applicability of federal protections in all operating environments—not just traditional bank branches.

In addition to the Safe Access to Cash Act, ATMIA also engaged lawmakers on the Financial Integrity and Regulation Management (FIRM) Act (H.R. 2702/S. 875) and the Payment Choice Act, reinforcing the need to protect consumer access, preserve financial inclusivity, and ensure individuals and businesses can continue to choose how they pay and receive funds.

ATMIA would like to extend a sincere thank you to our Fly-In sponsors, ATM Up and Fiserv, for their support in making these important advocacy efforts possible. We also greatly appreciate the ATMIA members who joined us in Washington, D.C. and took the time to engage directly with lawmakers to help communicate the importance of these legislative priorities and the real-world impact they have on communities and the industry. Their real-world experiences sparked meaningful conversations and helped bring these issues to life.

• Sal Salpietro, ATM UP                
• Wayne Malone, Fiserv
• Cooper Frandsen, TetraLink
• Maya Fuentes, Herring Bank
• Dan Connolly, Armed Courier Service & ACSATM

A special thank you goes out to Troutman Strategies, Tom Tilton and Brain Mann for organizing the meetings and leading the day’s efforts. Tom Tilton noted, “The ATMIA group did a great job representing the industry. Different people, different challenges—but the personal anecdotes we share are what bring these issues to life and highlight their local impact.”

Your advocacy dollars are driving real impact—ATMIA is actively fighting for the industry and ensuring these critical laws remain a priority on the national agenda. To continue this work in the U.S. and globally, please consider contributing to the fund.

The Fly-In also highlighted an equally important issue: workforce safety. Employees working in cash logistics, ATM servicing, and related field operations face real and evolving risks, yet lack consistent federal protections tailored to the nature of their work today.

The discussions underscored a shared understanding among policymakers and industry leaders that while payment innovation continues to accelerate, cash remains an essential part of the financial ecosystem. Ensuring its safe and reliable access requires legislation that reflects today’s environment—not the past.

ATMIA looks forward to continuing its engagement with lawmakers to support practical updates that protect both consumers and employees, while strengthening payment choice and maintaining resilient access to cash nationwide. “This was ATMIA’s 7^th Washington, DC Fly-In and the most productive of them all, ‘ said David Tente, Executive Director, USA & Americas, ATMIA.

You can help continue the conversation by reaching out to your representatives and encouraging support for the initiatives important to our industry. If you have any questions about the Fly-In or these efforts, please reach out to David Tente. 

View photo video here.