The Central Government has shared some surprising financial data regarding ATM cash withdrawals. Over the past five years the State Bank of India (SBI) has made a massive Rs. 2043 crore profit from ATM transactions. In stark contrast nine public sector banks (PSBs) collectively suffered a loss of Rs. 3738.78 crore during the same period. The figures released by Minister of State for Finance Pankaj Chaudhary during a Lok Sabha session have raised eyebrows. According to the data besides SBI only two other public banks—Punjab National Bank (PNB) and Canara Bank—managed to make a profit from ATM withdrawals. PNB recorded a profit of Rs. 90.33 crore Canara Bank earned Rs. 31.42 crore However the remaining public banks experienced significant losses indicating that SBI’s stronger performance in ATM fee collections helped it remain profitable while others struggled. Net Income of Public Sector Banks from ATM Cash Withdrawals (in crores) ATM Withdrawal Charges Explained Minister Chaudhary clarified the ATM withdrawal charge policies based on RBI guidelines: Customers can make five free transactions per month from their own banks ATMs which includes both financial (cash withdrawal) and non-financial (balance inquiry mini-statement) transactions. At other bank ATMs customers are allowed: Three free transactions in metro cities. Five free transactions in non-metro areas. Beyond the free limit banks charge a fee of up to Rs. 21 per transaction plus applicable taxes. New ATM Withdrawal Charges from May 1 The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has approved an increase in ATM interchange fees which is the fee one bank pays to another when a customer uses an ATM that doesn’t belong to their bank. This charge helps cover the cost of maintaining ATMs and providing services to other bank customers. Starting May 1 customers exceeding their free transaction limit will have to pay higher fees: For cash withdrawals the fee will increase from Rs. 17 to Rs. 19 per transaction. For non-financial transactions (like balance inquiries) the fee will go up from Rs. 6 to Rs. 7 per transaction. Additionally customers will have to pay an extra Rs. 2 per withdrawal once they exceed their free monthly limit. What This Means for You If you frequently use ATMs beyond the free limit you will now face higher charges making it costlier to withdraw cash or check your balance at non-home bank ATMs.