Newsroom
An ATM at a monastery? It might sound like the setup for a joke, but it's a real proposal being considered as part of an effort to bring banking services to Cyprus' remote and mountainous regions.
The Commissioner for Mountainous Areas, Charalambos Christofinas, has reportedly requested banks to install ATMs in semi-mountainous and rural locations where access to cash is limited. However, the banks aren’t entirely on board with the plan, as they prioritize potential turnover and population density over convenience for local residents.
Among the suggested locations is the Kykkos area—specifically, within the grounds of a monastery. The idea of placing an ATM next to a site known for prayer and pilgrimage has raised eyebrows, particularly among bank officials, who are yet to be convinced.
While a monastery ATM might seem unusual, it highlights a broader issue: the lack of banking access in rural areas. Other proposed locations include Astromeritis, Kyvidis, Kalo Chorio Limassol, Eptagonia, Pelendri, Panagia, Salamiou, and Korfi. There’s even a request for an additional ATM in Kalopanayiotis, despite another company already operating one there.
The debate continues, with government officials pushing for better accessibility and banks weighing financial feasibility. Whether or not the Kykkos monastery will soon feature an ATM alongside its icons and incense remains to be seen—but it’s safe to say it would make for one of the most unexpected cash withdrawal experiences in Cyprus.
