Citibank proposes to increase its ATM services on Chinese mainland to 85 outlets end year, from its current 70 outlets. Citibank has tied up with 7-Eleven licensee Guangdong Saiyi Convenience Stores to install ATMs in select 7-Eleven stores across southern China.

HSBC has added a further 20 ATMs to its China network, and had a total of 56 outlets in 13 major cities at the end of October, most of them located in hotel complexes, airports and major shopping centers. HSBC expects to further expand its services and are currently in talks for the same. The Standard Chartered Bank presently has no ATM services in China, however, is preparing to put up an ATM network with at least 20 outlets in major cities over the next few months.

Currently only foreign cardholders only can use the facilities with foreign banks, while local customers are unable to access the facilities. However, all these are likely to change from December 11, when China fully opens up its retail banking sector. The new regulations will enable foreign banks that incorporate locally to provide RMB services and issue bank cards to individual Chinese customers without geographic limitations.

The approval process could take one to three months according to the China Banking Regulatory Commission. Citibank and HSBC already have inked agreements for membership to China UnionPay, China's sole bankcard transactions operator.