Sponsors (10)
The bill strengthens federal legal protection and prosecutorial clarity for ATM and cash-in-transit robberies—improving enforcement and deterrence—but expands liability exposure and costs for third-party ATM operators and for banks/credit unions (costs that could flow to customers).
Banks, credit unions, their customers, and law enforcement gain clearer federal protection and prosecutorial clarity because off-premises ATMs and cash-in-transit are explicitly treated as the institution's custody, improving legal authority to investigate and prosecute robberies.
Third-party ATM owners and operators face increased criminal liability exposure and likely higher insurance or compliance costs because ATMs are treated as the depository institution's custody regardless of ownership.
Banks and credit unions may incur higher compliance, security, or insurance expenses to manage expanded liability for off‑premises ATMs and cash-in-transit, which could lead to higher costs for those institutions and potentially be passed on to customers.
Based on analysis of 2 sections of legislative text.
Expands the federal bank-robbery statute by defining “ATM” and specifying that ATMs and cash being loaded into, unloaded from, or transported to/from ATMs are considered to be in the care, custody, control, management, or possession of the depository institution (bank, credit union, or savings and loan) for purposes of 18 U.S.C. § 2113. The change applies regardless of whether the ATM is on the institution’s premises or whether the ATM is owned or operated by a third party. The effect is to make thefts, robberies, or forcible takings of ATMs and cash in transit to/from ATMs prosecutable under the federal bank-robbery provisions that protect depository institutions, without creating new penalties or new spending in the text provided.
Introduced February 26, 2025 by John Rose · Last progress February 26, 2025