The Bank of Maldives (BML) has extended its self-service ATM network to ten additional islands in Shaviyani Atoll.

This latest development forms part of the Bank’s Mulhi Raajje ah BML ATM Programme, which aims to equip every inhabited island in the Maldives with vital banking infrastructure. With this expansion, BML has installed self-service ATM facilities on 37 islands so far this year, with the target of reaching all inhabited islands by the end of 2025.

The initiative is central to the Bank’s broader strategy to decentralise banking services and minimise the need for customers to travel to branch offices. By bringing banking facilities closer to home, BML seeks to enhance financial inclusion, particularly in remote and underserved communities.

Speaking about the rollout, BML’s Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director, Mohamed Shareef, commended the swift implementation of the programme and attributed its success to the dedication and hard work of the Bank’s employees.

He stated that the initiative delivers essential financial services directly to local communities and expressed pride in the positive impact it is having, particularly in the outer atolls where access has traditionally been limited.

Shareef also highlighted a marked increase in ATM usage outside the capital, Malé. According to BML, over MVR 1.45 billion has been deposited through ATMs located in the atolls so far this year, underlining the growing reliance on decentralised banking infrastructure to meet the financial needs of island communities.

President Dr Mohamed Muizzu officially inaugurated the expansion of BML’s ATM services during a ceremony at the President’s Office on 7 November 2024. During the event, a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed between the Ministry of Economic Development and Trade and the Bank of Maldives to facilitate the provision of ATM services to every island in the country.

BML currently operates 39 branches across all 20 atolls, supported by 133 Self-Service Banking Centres and a nationwide network of 188 ATMs. These are further bolstered by extensive Agent Banking services and a growing range of digital banking platforms.