POSB's pop-up ATMs, which were introduced last year, have made a comeback for the coming Chinese New Year.

The setting up of temporary ATMs was started last year to make it hassle-free for the public to withdraw new notes, which are traditionally handed as gifts in hongbao to friends and relatives.

Besides benefiting from the machines' proximity, the public will also not have to wait in line at queues that form at some popular bank outlets.

Thirty-six pop-up ATMs have been placed at community clubs and centres in Bedok, Chong Pang, Ci Yuan, Clementi, Henderson, Jurong Spring, Marine Parade, Tampines Changkat, Teck Ghee, Toa Payoh West, Woodlands and Yew Tee.

Mr Jeremy Soo, head of DBS' Consumer Banking Group (Singapore), said the ATMs will increase accessibility especially for people such as the elderly and those with inflexible working hours.

The ATMs at Chong Pang, Teck Ghee and Toa Payoh West will be open from 9am to 10pm daily. All others will operate round the clock.

Customers will be able to use their DBS/POSB ATM cards to withdraw notes in sums of $100, $300 and $500, up to their individual card limit at these machines, which became operational yesterday.

Ms Tong Yoke Lian, a 67-year-old Hougang resident, said: "I used to have to take a bus to the bank and queue... this is very convenient."

Sheryl Lee