Nowadays, an automated teller machine or ATM Cash Machine, is the lifeline to your money twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week. There are typically found either inside or just outside a financial institution, or they are placed in high traffic locations, such as shopping malls, airports, and convenience stores.
When users withdraw money from an ATM that is not owned by their bank, fees are charged by the dispensing bank. In many cases, the user\’s own bank will also levy a charge for this transaction. These fees represent a large portion of a financial institution\’s income. Convenience is often not free, even when accessing your own money.
Foreign visitors, whose money may be calculated in another currency, can still withdraw funds anywhere. Their coinage is exchanged at a wholesale rate and dispensed in the legal tender of their location. This prevents the need for carrying large sums of cash at any given time and thus reduces the risk of theft.
Bank customers are given a plastic card with a unique number that contains either a magnetic strip or a chip that identifies the account holder. A personal identification number must be provided for authentication. There are also cameras that track the transactions in case of theft or verification of identity when withdrawals are disputed.
There are several other services offered by ATMs through contracts with other financial firms. You can request a credit card cash advance, add minutes to a prepaid cell phone, and a number of other activities associated with your personal bank account. The convenience of these services helps customers, and also prevents the need for a large staff for the bank.
The most attractive feature offered by an ATM Cash Machine is the possibility to retrieve your funds anytime you want to. Banking hours no longer restrict access to any of the services offered by them.



