Nationwide Building Society is rolling out new software to modernise and improve security across its UK ATMs.

As well as improving cybersecurity, the software is designed to help simplify the building society’s legacy payments platform and integrate it with other payment services. The technology, developed by Auriga, also aims to support the increased availability of services and reduce potential downtime.

Nationwide currently has a network of over 600 branches and more than 1,200 branch-based ATMs.

The building society is the last bank branch across around 90 towns in the UK.

Nationwide recently announced that it is trialling a new community fund that will donate £200 for every new current and savings account opened by residents in Windsor, where it is the last bank branch in the town.

Reaffirming its “commitment to the High Street”, the community fund will see up to £10,000 going towards the initiative.

Nationwide said it is also exploring how it will support its other "last branch locations", where the building society vows to stay until at least 2026 amidst a wave of bank closures as more people shift to online banking.

“Our customers do not want to be told how to bank with us, they want the choice to go to their local branch and ATM, as well as using our mobile and digital services,” said Otto Benz, director of payments at Nationwide Building Society. “This investment in Auriga software will enable us to develop and enhance how our ATM self-service banking channel complements Nationwide branch services that are becoming so very popular and vital for the communities they serve.”

Earlier this month, Nationwide said that had taken the first steps to purchase Virgin Money for approximately £2.9 billion.

If the acquisition goes through, the merged companies will create a group with total assets worth £366 billion, which they say would make it the second largest provider of mortgages and savings in the UK.

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