Bank of Valletta said yesterday that the mobile ATM it specifically set up at the Valletta Waterfront for the official euro celebrations developed a mechanical fault in the cash dispenser when it was being used by the Prime Minister, soon after midnight on 1 January, when the euro became Malta’s currency as the new year was ushered in.

The mechanical fault developed as a result of the ATM losing its alignment due to movement caused when large crowds surrounded the machine to witness the historic moment, the bank said.

Due to the mechanical fault in the mobile ATM, the official ceremony during which the Prime Minister withdrew the first 100 euros was shifted to the fixed BOV ATM at the bank’s Valletta Waterfront branch just a few metres away. At this fixed BOV ATM, the Prime Minister used his commemorative BOV Platinum Card and withdrew the first 100 euros marking the historic moment for Malta.

Bank of Valletta explained that the mobile ATM that failed to function during the official ceremony had been extensively tested and functioned properly even up to a few minutes before the Prime Minister was due to use it.

The bank said that this was an isolated unfortunate incident which was deeply regretted. In fact, apart from this mechanical fault, all BOV ATMs, IT and card systems functioned well during the changeover.