Basingstoke based De La Rue, the largest printer of paper money, has announced it is in talks to sell its automated teller machine operation, which installed the world’s first ATM in 1967.

The company is seeking a buyer for the Cash Systems division, excluding a unit that makes money-sorting equipment, Chief Executive Officer Leo Quinn said. He declined to provide details of potential bidders or estimate the unit’s value and when the discussions may conclude, but suggested that the decision it for shareholder value.

In the fiscal year ended in March 2007, Cash Systems accounted for 48 percent of sales and 32 percent of operating profit for De La Rue, according to data compiled by Bloomberg. Its processing unit provides money sorters for clients including J Sainsbury Plc.

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