Anegada Atm Expected Soon
Junior Minister Lorna Smith says an ATM for Anegada remains planned but has been delayed by limited regional banking infrastructure and a shortage of specialised installation services. Groundwork, including a site, has been secured, but no firm date has been given as banks wait for regional service providers to supply and install the equipment.
A promised ATM for Anegada remains on its way, but residents and visitors should not expect an immediate installation, Junior Minister for Trade & Economic Development Lorna Smith has said. Speaking on the Talking Points radio show, Smith confirmed the National Bank of the Virgin Islands remains committed to putting an automated teller machine on the sister island.
She said the delay is not caused by local red tape but by a regional shortage of specialised hardware and technical support needed to install and commission ATMs. "Banks have to stand in line," Smith said, describing how local institutions rely on a small number of regional service providers for equipment supply and specialist technicians.
She pointed to the recent installation at Soper’s Hole, which she was told took about two years to complete, as an example of how backlogs can push timelines out. Smith cautioned, however, that she does not expect Anegada to face an identical two-year wait. She said the necessary groundwork has been done — a location has been secured and she is working closely with the island’s district representative to advance the project — and the remaining step is the physical installation of the machine.
The lack of an ATM has been a long-standing frustration for Anegada residents, who often must travel to Tortola for routine banking services. The absence of on-island cash access also affects visitors, including yacht passengers and tourists, who frequently rely on quick cash withdrawals while on the island.
Smith emphasised that despite increasing use of digital payments, cash remains important for many island businesses and visitors. "Cash is still king," she said, noting that even those on boats visiting Anegada need reliable ATM access. The minister also highlighted broader banking improvements across the territory, noting that CIBC has expanded its ATM network elsewhere in the BVI.
Still, no firm timeline has been provided for when Anegada’s ATM will go live. Smith said the bank itself is cautious about promising a date it may not be able to meet. For now, residents and visitors are being asked for patience while authorities and the bank work through the regional supply and support bottlenecks.
The government and banking sector say they are committed to completing the installation as soon as the necessary technical resources become available.
Primary source: BVI News