Automatic Teller Machines (ATM's) are computerized devices that allow banking and other financial transactions to be performed without the assistance of bank tellers. ATM's can be used for depositing money into an account, making withdrawals, and for accessing checking account balance information.
To make transactions using an ATM, the customer is issued an ATM card with a magnetic strip containing the customers personal identifying number (PIN). The customer is then identified after inserting the card into the ATM and typing in his personal identification number. At that time, the customer can then transact business.
ATM's are found around the world and they known by other names such as money machines, cash machines, automated banking and/or bank machines. Bancomat is a common term that is used for ATM's in Europe, and in other countries, they are known by other names.
Today, more than 70% of banking customers use either ATM, credit, or other visa or debit cards and this number is growing. They are found inside and outside of banks, airports, nightclubs, casinos, malls, gas stations, stores and super markets. Many banks offer drive through ATM service as well as walk up ATM's on the bank's outside.
ATM's can be bought or leased as business ventures by individuals and companies and placed at certain locations where there is a need to supply customers with cash.
Many bank ATM's are stocked, managed, and owned by companies that are not related to the banks or other businesses where the machines are located.
Operators of ATM's have a vested interest in keeping their customers happy because ATM customer expects to have easy access to cash at these locations. The machines have to reliable and accessible. Many ATM's provide service 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.