If you're in need of a little extra cash over the New Year holidays, groveling in front of granny won't be your only option.

UFJ Bank, Shinsei Bank, Citibank, and IY Bank, a pioneering ATM-only bank, plan to keep their ATMs operating during the first three days of 2005, just as they did in 2004.

The ATMs of post offices and the four other major banks aside from UFJ-Mizuho Bank, Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corp., the Bank of Tokyo-Mitsubishi and Resona Bank-will be closed for the holidays.

Although ATMs at convenience stores will remain operational as usual this weekend, customers with accounts at these institutions will be unable to do any banking.

Regular operations at the banks will resume on Jan. 4.

UFJ will charge after-hour fees for ATM usage from Friday to Monday as the days are treated as national holidays.

The hours of operation for UFJ's ATMs will vary depending on the branch and location.

Citibank's ATMs will be open around the clock from Saturday through Monday. Regular charges will apply.

Shinsei Bank customers will not be charged for withdrawing cash from its ATMs and those of convenience stores it is tied up with. The bank's ATMs will be open 24 hours over the holidays.

Holders of IY Bank cards will be able to use ATMs around the clock at Seven-Eleven Co. convenience stores and other locations, but will be charged extra fees at night and in the early morning.

On Friday, many financial institutions will operate their ATMs on a Saturday schedule and fee system.

Service at most banks and for savings accounts at post offices will be closed from Friday to Monday and resume regular operations on Jan. 4.(IHT/Asahi: December 28,2004)