Just a word about ATM's from a 80 old male living in San Diego,
California.  1.  ATM's here have been dispensing only $20 bill for many
years.  2.  I am blind and travel extensively throughout the United
State and I have had unlimited success with my ATM card, by making a
purchase (large or small) and ask for additional cash back at the
check-out stand at major chain stores.  For me this has several major
advantages:  1.  I can get the cash back in the denominations I want,
2.  These transactions occur in well lighted and secure places where I
am not a hit target in front of an ATM.  3.  the surcharge is really
nominal, 20 cents to 5o cents,  4.  Clerks can assist me in using the
many varieties of keyboards,  5. In some large communities these major
chains are open 24 hours a day,  And best of all, my money and wallet
are in my pocket before I leave the check out stand.  The only reason I
wrote this is it has never been suggested as a solution to non talking
ATM machines.  It is interesting that the statistic on what is the
largest number of transactions at ATM's.  I would bet that cash back is
higher than all the other transactions combined, maybe ten to one, or
one hundred to one.  Well, that's my story.  Gordon Wahl
####

Kelly Pierce wrote:
>
> Chicago Sun-Times
>
> Many ATMs dispense with $10 bills
>
> May 13, 2002
>
> BY LUCIO GUERRERO STAFF REPORTER
>
> Trying to get a quick $50 out of the ATM these days? Or $10 for an L
> pass?
>
> Sorry, but more and more banks have begun carrying only $20 bills in
> their automated teller machines and no longer carry tens.
>
> Bank One, the largest Chicago bank, stopped dispensing smaller
> denominations in December. Other Chicago banks followed suit.
>
> BY THE NUMBERS
>
> *Average withdrawal: $80.
>
> *Most popular day to go to an ATM: Friday.
>
> *First U.S. ATM: opened in 1971 at Citizens & Southern National Bank in
>  Atlanta.
>
> *Automated teller machines nationwide: about 350,000 as of the end of
>  last year.
>
> *ATM surcharges: $2.2 billion total nationwide last year, Bank Rate
>  Monitor estimates. Average surcharge: $1.45.
>
> *Percentage of people who have ATM cards, by age group: 18 to 34 years
>  old, 75 percent; 34 to 44 years old, 68 percent; 45 to 54 years old, 70
>  percent; 55 to 64 years old, 67 percent; 65 or older, 36 percent.
>
> *Usage by annual income: under $20,000, 30 percent; $20,000 to $29,000,
>  42 percent; $30,000 to $39,000, 55 percent; $40,000 or more, 60 percent.
>
> SOURCE: American Banking Association
>
> "When you only have one single currency in the machine, there is less of
> a chance of running out of money," said Robert Mau, a spokesman for
> LaSalle Bank. "You can serve more customers."
>
> Banking industry representatives said people generally want larger
> denominations these days, especially considering the fees they're hit
> with when they use an ATM at a bank other than their own.
>
> "Most people who use the ATM don't want to get less than $20 out," said
> John Hall, a spokesman for the American Bankers Association. "It's more
> efficient just to put in one currency if that's the currency people
> want."
>
> Not everyone is pleased.
>
> "I think it's an inconvenience," said Pam Barnes, a Bank One customer who
> usually uses an ATM twice a week. "Sometimes, I want to get small bills,
> but I can't. It's a problem when it's the first thing in the morning, and
> I want to make a small purchase, and all I have are a bunch of twenties.
> Usually, they'll ask, 'Don't you have something smaller?' "
>
> Some banks still have $10 bills at their ATMs.
>
> "We are trying to accommodate what our customers want," said Jack
> Wiaduck, vice president of personal banking at Northern Trust Bank. "We
> have multiple-currency dispensers because that's what our customers
> want."
>
> But if your bank no longer carries tens and you're not happy about that,
> consider this: At least you don't live in Aspen, Colo., or Las Vegas.
> ATMs in those cities are set up for big spenders. In Aspen and Las Vegas,
> some cash machines will spit out only $100 bills. Even in Troy, Mich., at
> the upscale Sommerset Collection shopping center--home to stores such as
> Gucci, Armani and Baccarat--the ATM doesn't carry anything smaller than a
> $50 bill.
>
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