Gothamist
A non-profit newsroom, powered by WNYC.
Gothamist
Listen Live
News
Fee-less ATMs? Yes, After These Brief Messages
By
Garth Johnston
Published Dec 19, 2011
Modified Dec 19, 2011
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
Never miss a story
Email address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .
By
Garth Johnston
Published Dec 19, 2011
Modified Dec 19, 2011
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
We rely on your support to make local news available to all
Make your contribution now and help Gothamist thrive in 2026. Donate today
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
If you want to save money in the city here are two really solid pieces of advice worth following: Don't take cabs if in any way possible and do everything you can to avoid paying ATM fees. Thanks to the MTA, a bike and a good pair of shoes the first is easy. The second? Really depends on your bank. But one clever startup, Free ATM NYC, would like to make it a smidge easier. They just ask that you watch a quick ad while you wait for your cash.
Free ATM NYC is exactly what it sounds like. Currently testing its product at the Knitting Factory, it sells ATMs that asks you to watch ads before, during and after your transaction in exchange for not charging you the usual $1.50—$3 fee. Of course, your bank could (and probably does) still charge you an additional "out-of-network" fee of at least $1.25 for taking your own money out somewhere else...but let's deal with one thing at a time.
Free ATM NYC's founder, 25-year-old Clinton Townsend, tells CNN that he hopes to roll the ATMs out nationwide. Not only will some of his planned ATMs include video screens with nonstop ads running, but others will theoretically let users bypass ads and just pay a fee. Our gut reaction is that this is a great idea...except what happens in a few years when it does well and all sorts of banks decide to start putting ads on their ATMs and charging fees? Cause that would suck—and seems entirely plausible.
[via Animal]
Tagged
atm
ATM fees
banks
free atm nyc
Garth Johnston
Read more
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
MORE news
Mamdani names re-entry specialist as chair of Rikers oversight board
Christopher Watler will help the department that a federal monitor says remains in crisis.
By
Ryan Kost
Published Oct 6, 2026 at 3:52 p.m. ET
NYC weighs expanding upstate reservoir following drought
The Delaware River Basin Commission is evaluating options to increase water storage, including expanding a reservoir in New York City.
By
Rosemary Misdary
News
NYC weighs expanding upstate reservoir following drought
The Delaware River Basin Commission is evaluating options to increase water storage, including expanding a reservoir in New York City.
By
Rosemary Misdary
Legionella found in Staten Island building's water system after 2 positive cases
By
Catalina Gonella
Legal 'loophole' helps NY Gov. Kathy Hochul, Bruce Blakeman raise millions
By
Jon Campbell
Police identify 2 men wanted for stabbing an off-duty NYPD officer
By
Ben Feuerherd
Never miss a story
Catch up on the most important headlines with a roundup of essential NYC stories, delivered to your inbox daily.
Sign upEmail address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .