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The Spokesman-Review Newspaper
Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

Atm Plan Gets Mastercard’s Stamp Of Approval

Associated Press

As banks race to embrace ever-faster communication technology, MasterCard International is making it a little more convenient to send a conventional letter.

MasterCard on Wednesday disclosed plans to sell postage stamps through Cirrus, its network of automatic teller machines at almost 315,000 locations around the world.

Beginning in the second quarter of this year, Cirrus cardholders will be able to buy stamps in a transaction similar to getting cash at an ATM. As the purchase is made, the money is deducted electronically from the customer’s account and the stamps are dispensed from the machine.

Stamp sales are part of a larger strategy to vastly expand the types of services available at Cirrus machines. MasterCard also envisions ATM sales of such things as prepaid telephone calling cards, theater tickets and travelers checks.