Cardtronics plc, which operates approximately 10,200 ATMs in Australia, was blindsided by the major banks' decision over the weekend to remove all direct charges for their respective ATM networks.  The company has yet to estimate the damage to its business. In a filing with the US Securities And Exchange Commission, and signed by Cardtronics chief accounting officer, the company noted that "collectively these four banks operate approximately 12,400 ATMs between them in Australia (CBA: 3,400 ATMs; ANZ: 2,600 ATMs; Westpac: 3,000 ATMs and NAB approximately 3,400 ATMs).Total ATMs operated in Australia is estimated to be approximately 32,000."Australia is a direct charge market where cardholders pay a fee (the 'direct charge') to the operator of an ATM for each transaction, unless the ATM where the transaction is completed is part of the cardholder's issuing bank ATM network," the company explained."In excess of 80 per cent of Cardtronics revenues in Australia are sourced from direct charge fees paid by cardholders. As a result, this introduction of free to use ATMs in Australia may adversely impact the company's revenues in the near term. It is unclear at this time as to what the longer term ATM strategy may be for these banks, and how it may ultimately impact the company's operations in Australia."In the three months ended June 30, 2017, Cardtronics generated $33.0 million in revenue from its Australia & New Zealand segment, of which $27.1 million was surcharge revenue.