Starting on August 1, 2026, ATM users across Suriname will face increased costs for two core banking services: cash withdrawals and balance inquiries, the Suriname Bankers Association (SBV) confirmed in an official announcement released Thursday. The price adjustment comes in response to a full cost review of the country’s shared automated teller machine infrastructure, overseen by BNets, the national ATM network operator.
BNets has ruled that higher transaction fees are unavoidable to keep covering ongoing operational, maintenance, security and expansion costs for the nationwide network, SBV explained. Maintaining a full country-wide ATM network carries significant recurring expenses that have shifted in recent years, including routine technical repairs, mandatory cybersecurity upgrades, constant system monitoring, secure cash transportation between machines, and 24/7 availability guarantees for consumers. The fee revision is designed to ensure the network remains secure, reliable and resilient to future changes over the long term, according to the association.
Notably, SBV emphasized that each individual member bank retains full autonomy to set its own final customer fees and accompanying terms, meaning the increased costs will not be uniform across all financial institutions in the country. The association has advised customers seeking clarity on their personal applicable rates to reach out directly to their own banking provider for detailed information.
Currently, banks, BNets and all relevant service partners are coordinating closely to roll out the new pricing structure smoothly, with the goal of preserving the same level of reliable, accessible service that ATM users have come to expect. No disruptions to service are expected during the transition period, per the organization’s statement.
In addition to announcing the fee change, SBV also reminded consumers of existing free alternatives to cash-based ATM transactions. Point-of-sale debit card payments at participating merchants, as well as digital transactions through online and mobile banking platforms, remain secure, user-friendly and free of charge for customers of all member banks, the association confirmed. SBV encourages customers to use these digital options wherever possible, while acknowledging that physical cash will remain a critical component of the country’s overall payment ecosystem for the foreseeable future.
SBV did not include a public breakdown of the new fee amounts in its initial press release. Individual banks will share their specific updated pricing directly with their own customers ahead of the August 1 implementation date.