NCR Atleos and Heart of England Co-operative Extend Relationship to Enhance Financial Inclusion

WHY THIS MATTERS: The five-year extension and comprehensive upgrade of the Heart of England Co-operative’s terminal estate by NCR Atleos is more than a simple vendor-client renewal; it is a significant declaration regarding the strategic longevity of physical Cash Access infrastructure in the United Kingdom. Amidst persistent debate over the speed and social impact of an accelerating shift to digital payments, this investment validates the pressure on financial entities and retailers to uphold Financial Inclusion. The deal reinforces the efficacy of the specialized ‘ATM as a Service’ model, wherein retail partners outsource the complex operational burden—from hardware maintenance to security compliance—to a provider. This commitment to maintaining and modernizing a free-to-use network directly addresses the growing social and political imperative to prevent ‘cash deserts,’ ensuring that community service and operational efficiency can coexist as core business drivers in a bifurcated payment landscape.

NCR Atleos Corporation (NYSE: NATL) (“Atleos”), a leader in expanding self-service financial access for financial institutions, retailers and consumers, today announced the renewal of its long-standing relationship with Heart of England Co-operative. This agreement secures a five-year extension and includes a comprehensive upgrade of the retailer’s 35-site ATM estate, reinforcing both organizations’ commitment to convenient, free-to-use cash access for communities across the region.

Under the renewed agreement, Heart of England Co-operative will continue leveraging the NCR Atleos retail network solution, which combines industry-leading hardware, software and managed services with unrivalled operational scale and innovation. The collaboration ensures exceptional ATM availability and best-in-class service.

“Providing free access to cash is central to our mission of supporting financial inclusion and customer satisfaction,” said Steve Browne, CEO of Heart of England Co-operative. “NCR Atleos has been a trusted partner since 2015, and their expertise and reliability make them the ideal choice as we continue to serve our communities.”

“We’re proud to continue our relationship with Heart of England Co-operative,” said Neil Martin, Area Managing Director for the UK at NCR Atleos. “Together, we’re ensuring that communities across Coventry and Warwickshire have convenient access to cash, while delivering operational excellence and innovative solutions that meet the evolving needs of retailers and consumers.”

The renewal positions Heart of England Co-operative to maintain its strategic priorities, while NCR Atleos delivers operational efficiency and digital-first self-service experiences for consumers. The upgraded ATM network will further strengthen the retailer’s ability to drive footfall and meet evolving customer needs.

FF NEWS TAKE: This partnership underscores the market’s demand for high-reliability, outsourced management of physical money infrastructure. It clearly indicates that the future of cash is tied to operational excellence and robust service models, not simply to consumer demand. The next critical element to observe will be how swiftly these upgraded terminals evolve beyond simple cash withdrawal. We expect to see a greater emphasis on integrating these ATMs with non-cash services and digital-first features, turning them into multifunctional self-service hubs that bridge the gap between physical retail footfall and basic embedded finance capabilities.