One in eight ABMs still down months after hurricane — BOJ data

A customer uses an automated banking machine. Bank of Jamaica data show that roughly one in eight ATMs remain out of service months after Hurricane Melissa, with slower recovery in several rural parishes.

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March 21, 2026

One in eight ABMs still down months after hurricane — BOJ data

KINGSTON, Jamaica — Jamaica’s automated banking machine (ABM) network remains short of full recovery months after Hurricane Melissa, with roughly one in eight machines still out of service, according to data released by the Bank of Jamaica on Thursday.

Hurricane Melissa made landfall on October 28, 2025 causing widespread destruction across southwestern parishes.

The figures show that while ABM availability has improved to about 88 per cent of pre-storm levels, full restoration has yet to be achieved nearly five months after the hurricane.

Parishes such as St Elizabeth, Westmoreland and St James continue to lag the national average, with ABM availability ranging between roughly 70 and 78 per cent, pointing to ongoing constraints in access to cash in parts of rural Jamaica.

By contrast, Kingston has effectively returned to full capacity, with some periods showing machine availability exceeding pre-storm levels, suggesting faster restoration in the capital city.

The gap highlights a two-speed recovery in financial access with urban centres rebounding more quickly while some rural communities remain behind months after the storm.

A breakdown of operational machines across institutions also shows a concentration of ABMs in commercial hubs and high-traffic areas, reinforcing concerns about uneven access to cash across the country.

The data come as financial institutions continue to restore services following widespread disruption caused by the hurricane, with infrastructure damage, power reliability and logistical challenges likely contributing to delays in some areas.