KINGSTON, Jamaica – The Bank of Jamaica says in the aftermath of Hurricane Melissa, the island’s automated banking machine (ABM) network remains short of full recovery with roughly one in eight machines still out of service.
Hurricane Melissa made landfall last October, causing widespread destruction across southwestern parishes.
According to data released by the Central Bank, while ABM availability has improved to about 88 per cent of pre-storm levels, full restoration has yet to be achieved nearly five months after the hurricane.
The western parishes of St Elizabeth, Westmoreland and St James continue to lag the national average, with ABM availability ranging between roughly 70 and 78 per cent, pointing to ongoing constraints in access to cash in parts of rural Jamaica.
In contrast, the Corporate Area has effectively returned to full capacity, with some periods showing machine availability exceeding pre-storm levels, suggesting faster restoration in the capital city.
The report said the gap highlights a two-speed recovery in financial access with urban centres rebounding more quickly while some rural communities remain behind months after the storm. Breakdown of operational machines across institutions also shows a concentration of ABMs in commercial hubs and high-traffic areas, reinforcing concerns about uneven access to cash across the country.
The data was released as financial institutions continue to restore services following widespread disruption caused by the hurricane, with infrastructure damage, power reliability and logistical challenges likely contributing to delays in some areas.
