Plus, Cirrus cards can now be used on most campus ATMs

Pick a card, any card. Holders of Cirrus System or Plus System automatic teller machine cards may now use either card in almost any ATM near campus. Before August 20, Mellon Bank ATMs accepted only MAC and Cirrus cards, and Provident Bank ATMs accepted only MAC and Plus cards. But now both banks -- which dominate the ATM scene around the University -- have signed on to both networks. The change will affect students who have Cirrus or Plus ATM cards from out of town that are not affiliated with the MAC system. Previously, those students had to go to the specific MAC machine which was affiliated with their system. They must still do so, but the number of machines they may use has expanded. Provident ATMs near the University include the machines in Houston Hall and High Rise East. Mellon operates machines at its branch at 36th and Walnut streets and on the 4000 block of Locust Street. Provident went on-line with Cirrus on Wednesday, according to James Walker, vice president for electronic banking. Mellon added the Plus affiliation in late August, according to spokesperson Becky Brinks. Before the agreement, Plus and Cirrus were each connected to about 25,000 machines nationwide. Plus System Senior Vice President Ron Reed said yesterday that 7000 machines have added the Plus network to their Cirrus affiliation. Cirrus' Ross said that 10,000 machines have added Cirrus to their Plus affiliation. Network and bank officials said that the agreement was not anti-competitive, since banks will still issue cards which will only work on one network. "[Plus and Cirrus] will continue to compete for member financial institutions and for cardholders," Reed said.

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