A Queuing Model for Determining the Optimal-Mix of ATMs AND POS terminals in a Commercial Bank: An Implication to the Cash-less Policy in Nigeria

Abstract

In the bid to actualizing the cashless policy in Nigeria, this study criticized the multiplication of Automated Teller machines (ATM) in commercial banks as recommended by most authors and emphasized the role of the Point -of -Sale terminals (POS) in reducing queue lengths and long waiting times of customers in banks. The study succeeded in formulating easy to use models for converting the number of ATMs in a bank into Optimal-Mix of ATMs and POSs. This was done via the M/G/1 queue modeling methodology. The models were applied to three commercial banks in Kaduna State, Nigeria namely; Bank I, Bank II and Bank III with 4,3 and 2 ATMs respectively. The Optimal ATM-POS Mix determined for these banks are respectively ;( 1 ATM, 2 POS), (0 ATM, 2 POS) and (2 ATM, 0 POS). The study recommends that in actualizing the cashless policy, the Central Bank of Nigeria should make frantic effort in directing commercial Banks to apply the methodology of this study, in converting their current ATMs into Optimal Mix of ATMs and POSs.