Bankomater

Bankomater are automated teller machines that allow bank customers to perform financial transactions without a human teller. They are commonly installed in bank branches, shopping centers, airports, and street locations, and are connected to a bank’s core systems via secure networks. Typical functions include cash withdrawals, balance inquiries, and transfers between accounts, with many machines also handling deposits, bill payments, and card-to-card transfers.

Development of bankomater began in the 1960s. The first widely deployed ATM is commonly dated to 1967 at Barclays Bank in London, with early devices primarily enabling cash withdrawals using a PIN. Over the following decades, ATMs spread globally and evolved to offer more services, including deposits, receipts, and later checks.

Operation requires a bank card with a magnetic stripe or chip and a personal identification number (PIN). After entering PIN, the user selects a service. The machine communicates with the issuing bank via interbank networks, allowing withdrawals from accounts held at different banks. Security features include encryption and anti-tampering measures; some machines support contactless or cardless access.

Bankomater present security risks such as card skimming and shoulder-surfing; banks use surveillance, privacy screens, and anti-skimming measures to mitigate risks. Accessibility features such as large print screens, audio guidance, and keypad layouts aim to accommodate users with disabilities.

Modern bankomater increasingly include cash recycling, where received notes are reused to dispense cash, and some accept deposits by scanning checks or bills. Many machines also support mobile wallets and QR payments. The role of bankomater continues to evolve with digital banking, but they remain a common point for cash access in many regions.