Nationlink taps IBM for ATM infrastructure

Electronic financial solutions provider Nationlink Network has chosen IBM technology to enhance its ATM network and information infrastructure, as part of its strategy to bring cutting-edge financial services to the untapped and underserved citizens in remote areas of the country.

As the fourth full-service ATM and payment network in the Philippines, Nationlink said it is dedicated to building a finance network for the underprivileged by working with bottom-tiered financial institutions. This includes companies like microfinance institutions (MFIs), credit cooperatives, rural and thrift banks, savings and loan associations, lending companies remittance companies and local government units.

Company officials said Nationlink enables these financial institutions to inter-operate and collaborate by leveraging technology to form a nationwide shared network as well as via various electronic delivery channels.

Under the agreement signed recently, Nationlink has upgraded its network switching platform in its data center which operates non-stop using the IBM System x3550 and IBM System Storage DS3400.

Nationlink has also standardized the use of IBM servers in its ATMConnect – an ATM system package for its institutional subscribers/network members. It powers the subscriber’s ATM and card transactions, and its interconnection to the Nationlink-Bancnet network.

“There is a need in the Philippines for a modern electronic financial network to connect the thousands of branches of small financial institutions together,” according to Zoilo Jesus dela Cruz III, co-founder of Nationlink Network. “More than 80 percent of Filipinos are under-serviced, and have to travel long distances to reach a banking facility. We need to enable the delivery of modern financial, banking, and payment services to a vast underserved market.”

He added that through their ATM and point-of-sale networks, customers in remote areas will have access to modern electronic banking and microfinance services, inter-island money transfer facility and international money remittances.

Nationlink is banking on IBM technology to fulfill its objectives. Specifically, IBM x3550 was selected for its reliability and superior support features such as the baseboard management controller and light path diagnostics which provide a high level of manageability that can ensure superior uptime and control energy consumption, even when network usage increases.

In addition, IBM will impart its global expertise and technology knowledge on large-scale networks to Nationlink. The partnership also reinforces IBM’s worldwide initiative to be a major player in the microfinance sector and commitment to contribute significantly to efforts that alleviate poverty worldwide.

 “More than just providing technology expertise, IBM is truly honored to partner with Nationlink in such a noble and meaningful goal of linking the nation in order to transform lives of rural citizens in the country. We will continue to support their endeavors and enable their ongoing operations and future expansion programs,” IBM Philippines general manager James Velasquez pointed out.