ATM Forward

Burt Matthews didn’t set out to build an ATM business. What started as a simple gas station venture turned into something much bigger after a bank rejected his request for an ATM and forced him to figure it out on his own. In this episode, Burt shares how those early decisions led to the creation of NextATM, which has grown into a nationwide ATM service and technology organization, along with stories from the early days when there was no real “industry” to lean on.Rhet and Burt also dig into how the ATM space has evolved over the past 25 years, from dial-up machines and manual routes to today’s connected, automated fleets. Along the way, Burt shares practical lessons for operators looking to grow, including why focusing on the customer matters more than anything else and how thinking bigger is often the difference between staying small and building something that lasts.

In this live episode from ATMIA, Erik Flees, Director of Customer Service at Hyosung, and Dax Matthews, EVP at eGlobal, break down what shrinking transaction counts, rising costs, and digital banking growth mean for retail ATM operators. They share real pilot results from multi function ATMs and explain how services like bill break and cash to digital can reshape the revenue model. If you operate ATMs today, this episode outlines where the industry is headed and how to adapt.

Trade shows are expensive, exhausting, and somehow unavoidable in the ATM industry. Some operators swear by them. Others leave wondering what they actually got for their money. In this episode of The ATM Forward Podcast, host Rhet Needham sits down with Cooper Frandsen, EVP at Tetralink and former EVP at NextATM, to break down the real return on trade shows from every angle.

Getting into the ATM business sounds simple until you realize how many moving parts are behind each transaction. In this episode, Rhet and returning guest Jon Christiansen break down the essentials for new operators, from processors and programming to hardware basics, cash management, and risk protection. If you’re starting out and want to avoid costly mistakes, this is the episode to hear 

Recorded live at NAC 2025 in Las Vegas, the ATM Forward team hits the show floor to explore the newest technology shaping the ATM industry. Hear from leaders at Hyosung, Maya, OptConnect, and Genmega as they share what’s next for payments, connectivity, and kiosk innovation. Whether you’re an operator or industry partner, this quick episode gives you a front-row look at the future of self-service banking.

In this episode of The ATM Forward Podcast, we sit down with David Hayenga, owner of Meirtran. David shares his journey from starting as CFO to becoming the owner and scaling the company through challenges like COVID and increased competition. He explains the lessons he has learned about contracts, customer relationships, and building a win-win business model. We also talk about where the ATM industry is heading in the next 10 years and his advice for new operators entering the space.

In this episode of the ATM Forward podcast, Rhet Needham and Jon Christiansen discuss common support issues faced by ATM operators, focusing on software updates, security measures, keypad functionality, and CDU binding. They provide insights into troubleshooting communication issues, basic maintenance tips, and the importance of keeping ATMs up to date. This is a must listen for every ATM operator! 

What does the future of ATMs look like, and how do we get there? In our inaugural episode, we sit down with Lonnie Talbert, CEO of ATMIA, to talk about innovation, AI, and the evolution of self-service in the ATM industry. From global advocacy to the rise of “ATM Plus,” Lonnie shares insights on the challenges operators face, where the industry is heading, and why embracing change is critical. If you’re in the ATM space, this conversation is a must-listen.