Chase extends ATM presence in Florida with Walgreens contract

Chase has begun the branding and will reach 317 stores by the end of the summer, primarily in key metro areas around the state.

The move will give Chase nearly 400 ATMs in Florida. Chase currently has 70 ATMs in Florida, including 39 at Walt Disney World and 13 at Universal Studios.

"We are teaming up with Florida's leading drugstore to create 317 more ways to serve our customers, especially those from the Northeast and Midwest who travel frequently to Florida, for both short and long visits," said Jeff Carter, retail banking manager for Chase in Florida. "Both Chase and Walgreens know how important convenience is to our customers."

Almost 1 million temporary residents relocate to Florida during the winter months, according to a University of Florida Bureau of Economic and Business Research study. Leading the relocation are New Yorkers, Michiganders and Ohioans - states where Chase is a leading bank. The snowbirds stay an average of five months, the survey found.

The multiyear branding agreement with Cardtronics, which owns and operates the ATMs, will put the Chase logo on ATMs in the following markets:

Tampa, 112 ATMs
Orlando, 82 ATMs
West Palm Beach, 54 ATMs
Sarasota, 27 ATMs
Fort Myers, 21 ATMs
Naples, 15 ATMs

"Adding the respected Chase brand to the ATMs in Walgreens is likely to increase usage," said Keith Myers, executive vice president of financial services for Cardtronics. "Consumers notice and respond to strong brands."

The Florida ATMs expand Chase's long-standing relationship with Walgreens. In 2005, Chase added ATMs at 220 Walgreens stores in Arizona. By yearend 2006, Chase expects to have ATMs in 1,200 Walgreens stores in seven states, including 385 in the Chicago area.