Eye on Acquiring: EVO Links With KAL for ATMs in Europe, While Square Kicks off in France

Atlanta-based EVO Payments Inc. is working with global ATM technology provider KAL to allow banks and independent ATM deployers to quickly set up ATMs anywhere in Europe. The new service combines Germany-based KAL’s ATM software with EVO’s payments network, the parties said Tuesday.

“We have created a highly efficient method of ATM deployment that is set to transform ATM networks across Europe,” said Darren Wilson, president for international at EVO Payments, in a statement.

According to EVO and KAL, the companies’ alliance enables a financial institution or independent ATM deployer to install any type of ATM at any location throughout the European Economic Area, Switzerland, or the United Kingdom, with Visa and Mastercard acceptance included along with ATM software and host. Clearing and settlement services are also included. 

The deployment can be accomplished on “short notice,” the companies said, though the bank or deployer is responsible for furnishing the machine as well as cash-in-transit services.

“The service brings together proven technologies that guarantee ATM deployers an unprecedented level of flexibility and efficiency when responding to local market needs,” Aravinda Korala, KAL’s chief executive, said in a statement.

In the first quarter, publicly held EVO derived a little more than one-third of its $106.2 million in revenue from its European operations, down from 36% in 2020’s first quarter.

Also on Tuesday, Square Inc. announced it is introducing its technology in France by recruiting small businesses to use the San Francisco-based company’s payments-acceptance devices, software, and services before a general launch in that country.

“We look forward to partnering with France’s rich community of business owners to refine and perfect our products in advance of launch, ensuring that we offer the solutions that will enable French businesses to grow and prosper both in-person and online,” said Jason Lalor, executive director for Square Europe, in a statement.

The so-called Early Access Program features no long-term contracts or start-up fees, Square says, adding merchants can begin processing “in just days.” The company expects to launch generally in France later this year.