Northern Bahrain Residents Still Waiting for ATMs After Years of Requests

Dr. Salman Mohsen, a member of the Northern Municipal Council representing the Fourth District, has renewed calls for the installation of ATMs in Hurat Ali Housing (Complexes 714 and 708) and Al-Ramli (Complexes 715 and 716), home to nearly 55,000 residents. He highlighted that the lack of this essential service forces residents to travel to distant areas for basic cash withdrawals and deposits.

Dr. Mohsen explained that the residents’ struggle with the absence of ATMs has persisted for years. Despite repeated communications with local banks and relevant authorities to address citizens’ needs, little progress has been made. While some banks have inspected the proposed sites, they declined to install new machines, citing the growing use of the “Benefit” mobile app, which they claim reduces the need for traditional ATMs.

“The technological advancement of banking services is positive and necessary,” Dr. Mohsen noted. “However, a large segment of citizens, especially the elderly and retirees, still face difficulties using electronic applications and prefer cash transactions.”

He added that he had submitted a practical proposal to banks: renting a suitable location in the area for no more than BD 170 per month to host an ATM that would serve residents directly.

Dr. Mohsen emphasized that these requests have been ongoing for nearly three years without tangible progress. He urged the Central Bank of Bahrain, as the regulatory authority, to step in and direct banks to expedite the provision of this critical service, ending the daily struggle of thousands of residents deprived of an essential facility.