5 Things Every ATM Operator Should Review Before the New Year
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Start 2026 Strong with a Quick Portfolio Health Check
As we close out the year and prepare for 2026, now is the perfect time for ATM operators to give their portfolios a quick health check. A few simple reviews now can prevent costly issues later — and ensure your terminals start the new year strong, compliant, and profitable.
Here are the five most important items every operator should review before January 1.
1. Verify Terminal Address Accuracy (Including ZIP Code Compliance)
MasterCard has tightened its rules around address accuracy, and acquirers are now being evaluated against USPS standards. That means terminal locations with mismatched city/state/ZIP combinations can trigger compliance findings.
The good news?
Clear Choice has already updated TMS to validate addresses automatically.
When you add or edit a terminal location, TMS will notify you if the address doesn't match USPS records — keeping your portfolio clean and fully compliant.
What to do:
- Review any recent location additions
- Fix any addresses that display validation messages
- Confirm that each terminal's address reflects USPS formatting
A few minutes now can help you avoid address-integrity issues later.
2. Review Terminal Performance & Uptime
Year-end is a great time to verify that all your terminals are performing reliably — especially those that see higher holiday traffic.
Look for:
- Offline terminals
- Intermittent connectivity issues
- Frequent reversals
- Locations with unusual downtime patterns
If you're using Watchdog Monitoring, you can view performance trends instantly and get ahead of potential problems before the new year rush.
3. Check Surcharge Settings & Profitability
Small adjustments in surcharge settings can significantly impact annual revenue.
Ask yourself:
- Are all locations priced correctly for your market?
- Did any merchants request surcharge changes this year?
- Are your high-traffic holiday locations optimized?
- Are you missing revenue due to outdated settings?
A surcharge review now ensures you enter 2026 at your maximum earning potential.
4. Confirm EJ (Electronic Journal) Settings
Clean EJ data is essential for handling disputes, reducing chargebacks, and protecting your processing integrity.
Before year-end, make sure:
- All terminals have EJ enabled
- EJ files are pulling correctly
- There are no unusually large gaps in EJ history
- Merchants understand why EJ accuracy matters
A quick audit goes a long way toward smoother operations in 2026.
5. Refresh Your Contact, Merchant, & Portfolio Data
A complete, accurate portfolio makes it easier to process updates, troubleshoot issues, and stay compliant.
Check for:
- Correct merchant contact details
- Locations that recently changed ownership
- Machines that were moved but not updated in TMS
- Dormant terminals that should be deactivated
- Duplicate or outdated records
Clean data means fewer headaches — for both you and your merchants — next year.
Start 2026 Strong
A little preparation now creates a smoother, more profitable start to the new year. Clear Choice and Switch Commerce are here to support your operations, keep you compliant, and help you get ahead of industry changes before they arrive.
If you have questions or want help reviewing your portfolio, our Partner Support team is ready to assist.
Payments Without Limits — and peace of mind going into 2026.
Ready to optimize your ATM portfolio?