ATM Full Form – What is the Full Form of ATM?

Are you wondering what is the full form of ATM? The full form of ATM is Automated Teller Machine (ATM). An ATM is an electronic machine that let’s customers remove money without the need for a bank employee or teller.

Traditionally, if bank customers wanted to remove money from a bank they would need the assistance of a human teller for doing so; In today’s day and age, anyone can remove money without the assistance of a human teller using an ATM. This has increased the convenience of banking greatly.

• What is an ATM?
• Types of ATMs
• Uses of ATM
• How to use an ATM?
• Safety while using an ATM
• Indian Banks ATM List

What is an ATM?

An Automated Teller Machine (ATM) is a self-service electronic device that primarily allows bank customers to withdraw cash from it. Along with cash withdrawal, an ATM machine also has the following uses:

• Checking your bank account balance
• Deposit cash
• Setting or changing you ATM PIN
• Get mini statement
• Fund transfer
• Make bill payments

Types of ATMs

There are primarily two types of ATMs, a simple ATM unit and a complex ATM unit. A simple ATM unit will allow the customer to withdraw cash as well as other basic uses like checking statements, changing PIN, check account status, and more.

A complex ATM device will do all of the things a simple ATM unit does along with having the ability to accept cash and cheque deposits.

An ATM machine is further classified based on its colour.

• Brown ATM: A brown ATM is operated and managed by a third-party, and not a bank directly. A bank usually outsources this ATM to a different company. That being said, the cash comes from the bank itself.
• White ATM: A white ATM is operated and owned by NBFCs and are governed under the Settlement Systems Act, 2007. Tata Communications Payment Solutions Limited was the first company to operate such white ATMs. The cash within a white ATM is provided by a bank but it does not depict any of the bank’s branding.
• Pink ATM: This ATM is specifically for female users with the intention of avoiding long ATM queues for female customers.
• Green ATM: This ATM is specifically used for agricultural transactions.
• Bio-metric ATM: A bio-metric ATM is an advanced ATM that require the eye scan or fingerprint of the user in order to use it.
• Orange ATM: An orange ATM allows customers to do stock transactions.
• Yellow ATM: A yellow ATM allows customers to do online transactions using it.

Apart from the above, there are other ATMs like worksite ATM machines, mobile ATM machines, on-site, and off-site ATM machines.

Uses of ATM

The primary uses of an ATM machine is to allow customers to withdraw money from their bank account. In today’s day and age, ATM machines have gotten highly sophisticated and allow customers to do variety of different activities.

Mentioned below are some of the most important uses of an ATM machine:

• Cash Withdrawal: A customer can withdraw cash from an ATM machine buy putting their ATM card in the ATM card reader and enter their PIN code.
• Cash Deposit: A customer can deposit cash to a bank account through an ATM machine.
• Balance Checking: A customer can check their balance using an ATM machine and also get a paper slip showing their bank account balance.
• ATM PIN: Customers can also set as well as change their ATM pin using an ATM machine.
• Cash Transfer: Customers can also transfer money from their bank account to another bank account by accessing the ‘Fund Transfer’ option within the ATM machine.
• Mini Account Statements: Mini account statements can also be accessed through an ATM machine.

How to use an ATM?

The basic parts of an ATM include the keypad, screen, card reader, speaker, and receipt dispenser. This is how you can use an ATM in simple steps:

• Check Surroundings: Be mindful of your surroundings before entering an ATM machine. It would be ideal if a security guard is present outside the ATM machine when you use it. Also, if there is anyone in the ATM booth that is not using a machine, request them to exit the booth.
• Insert ATM Card: You will now need to insert your ATM card into the ATM card reader.
• Enter ATM PIN: Next, you will need to enter your secret ATM PIN code. Be sure that no one sees your PIN code while entering your PIN to the keypad.
• Type of Transaction: Next, you will need to select the kind of transaction you wish to proceed with. You can either withdraw cash, deposit cash, transfer money, request mini statement, pay bills, and more.
• Finish Transaction: Finally, finish your transaction and be sure to collect your card before exiting the ATM booth.

Safety while using an ATM

• Select ATM Wisely: It is generally wise to select an ATM that is guarded by security and is in a well-lit-up and busy location. It would be ideal to use an on-site ATM within the premises of the bank.
• Situational Awareness: Always be aware of people outside the ATM as well as people within the ATM booth. If there is anything that seems fishy, avoid doing the transaction.
• ATM PIN Safety: Cover your fingers while entering your PIN, this ensures that your PIN stays away from gazing eyes.
• Avoid Tampered Machines: If an ATM machine seems tampered with or damaged, simply avoid using it. It is possible that it may be sabotaged.

Indian Banks ATM List

RBI ATM Documentation