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Financial Dictionary - ATMs

ATMs

An ATM (automatic teller machine) is a machine you can use for various banking transactions at any time of day, any day of the week, without involving any bank employees.

How do ATMs work?

You must identify yourself with your card and PIN to use an ATM. The card can be inserted into the slot or tapped against the contactless reader that most ATMs now have. Once you have been identified, you can start using your bank account. The screen displays all the transactions offered by the ATM, in a simple and very intuitive way.

What are ATMs used for?

Cash withdrawals are one of the most common uses of ATMs, but they can also be used for many other things, depending on the entity.

The most common include:

  • Cash withdrawals
  • Making transfers and payments
  • Paying taxes
  • Paying bills
  • Topping up mobile cards
  • Sending money abroad
  • Checking account balances
  • Checking movements
  • Requesting statements
  • Updating bank books (which are becoming less and less common) and accounts
  • Changing PINs and passwords
  • Arranging financial products

Every financial institution has its own ATM network from which its customers can withdraw cash on debit without paying fees. There are also agreements between banks so that their customers can use each other's ATM networks without being charged.

If you are a Bankinter customer, you can find our ATMs - and those of associated banks from which you can withdraw cash by debit without being charged - using our website or app. If you use any other ATMs, the ATM will display the fee for the service on screen, asking you whether you want to continue the withdrawal.

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