ATM Card

ATM cards are dedicated, bank-issued payment cards which specifically gives a customer access to their financial accounts for withdrawals (via automated teller machines) or retail payments. As with debit cards, withdrawals using ATM cards are immediately deducted from the user’s account. Unlike debit cards, however, ATM cards cannot be swiped for purchases.

ATM cards have fallen out of fashion, and are rarely issued without a specific customer request. Most modern ATMs can be accessed using a credit or debit card, effectively making ATM-exclusive cards redundant.

ATM cards are also similar to debit cards in that withdrawals are immediately deducted from the attached checking account. In addition to the physical card, ATM card transactions require a personal identification number (PIN); they offer the same fraud protection as debit card withdrawals.