Now you need to pick an ATM machine and its features. ATM machines cost between $2,000 and $8,000 when purchased new, but the typical range is in the $2,500 to $3,000 range. When thinking through what machine you want for your ATM business here’s a list of the main features you’ll need to consider: Aesthetic Appeal. An automated teller machine (ATM) is an electronic telecommunications device that enables customers of financial institutions to perform financial transactions, such as cash withdrawals, deposits, transfer funds, or obtaining account information, at any time and without the need for direct interaction with bank staff. ATM, a game to help with learning how to use a bank cash machine. Play free games and get satisfaction from playing the ATM - Bank Cash Machine game. Your bank’s ATM should be free for you to use, but customers from other banks most likely have to pay fees at the same machines. Whenever possible, plan ahead and withdraw cash that you’ll need for upcoming events while you’re at your bank.
Best bank for free domestic ATM access |
at Axos Bank™, Member, FDIC Axos Bank 4.0NerdWallet rating
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at Radius Bank, Member, FDIC Radius Bank 4.0NerdWallet rating
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Best credit union for free domestic ATM access |
at Alliant Credit Union, Federally insured by the NCUA Alliant Credit Union 4.5NerdWallet rating
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Best bank for free international ATM access |
Charles Schwab Bank 4.0NerdWallet rating
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Best brick-and-mortar bank for free domestic ATM access |
Citibank 3.5NerdWallet rating
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Many banking services can be done online, but there’s at least one that remains offline: getting cash. Check out this list of financial institutions that make it much less expensive to access your money.
at Axos Bank™,
Member, FDIC
Free ATMs: At any ATM in the U.S., Axos (formerly known as Bank of Internet USA) won’t charge a fee and they’ll reimburse you any fees the ATM owner charges.
Accounts with the perk: Rewards Checking, CashBack Checking and Essential Checking.
Keep in the mind: Golden Checking and First Checking reimburse ATM fees, too, but they have monthly caps. And the bank charges a 1% fee for international ATM withdrawals and debit card purchases.
at Radius Bank,
Member, FDIC
Free ATMs: At any ATM in the U.S., Radius won’t charge a fee to use a non-network ATM and it will reimburse you for any fees you’re charged by the ATM owner at the end of your statement cycle.
Accounts with the perk: Rewards Checking and Superhero Checking.
Keep in mind: Essential Checking does not reimburse ATM fees. And while Radius reimbursements do apply worldwide, you’ll still be charged a foreign transaction fee for using your card abroad.
» Looking for a good overall account? Check out NerdWallet’s best banks and credit unions
at Alliant Credit Union,
Federally insured by the NCUA
Free ATMs: Alliant Credit Union offers 80,000+ free ATMs. Use one outside of the network, and you’ll be reimbursed up to $20 per month for fees charged by the owner. (Alliant doesn’t charge a fee.)
Accounts with the perk: Both Alliant’s checking accounts,High-Rate Checking and Teen Checking.
Keep in mind: The ATM rebates don’t apply to the 1% foreign transaction fee.
Membership requirements: Become a member of Foster Care to Success, a charitable organization, if you can’t join Alliant another way. Alliant will pay the membership fee on your behalf.
Free ATMs: At any ATM worldwide. Rebates are unlimited, and Schwab doesn’t charge a foreign transaction fee.
Accounts with the perk: High Yield Investor Checking Account.
Keep in mind: Schwab is mainly an investment company, and this account is linked to a Schwab One brokerage account.
» Compare checking accounts: Find a good match with NerdWallet’s best checking accounts
Free ATMs: Citibank offers 65,000+ ATMs fee-free to customers, including ATMs in chains such as Costco, CVS, Target, Rite Aid and Walgreens.
Accounts with the perk: All Citibank checking accounts.
Keep in mind: Holders of some high-end accounts from Citibank see fewer ATM fees from Citibank, including waived non-network ATM fees from Citibank and third-party owners, as well as waived foreign exchange fees. (Other account holders will pay 3%.) But these accounts also require you to maintain high balances at Citi to avoid monthly fees, and their savings accounts pay little interest.
» If you rely on your bank’s app, explore Nerdwallet’s best banks for mobile banking
Many of these accounts have other perks, such as no monthly fees. But if you’re not in the mood to switch, remember that virtually any financial institution will let you withdraw money for free from its own ATMs, and many now have apps that help you locate the nearest free cash machine. Often, credit unions and community banks participate in larger shared ATM networks, too.
Bank | ATM network and fees |
---|---|
Axos Bank | Unlimited ATM fee reimbursements domestically on certain accounts |
Radius Bank | Unlimited ATM fee reimbursements domestically on certain accounts |
Alliant Credit Union | 80,000+ fee-free ATMs, and reimbursements of up to $20 a month for out-of-network fees |
Charles Schwab Bank | Unlimited ATM fee reimbursements worldwide |
Citibank | 65,000+ fee-free ATMs |
Spencer Tierney is a staff writer at NerdWallet, a personal finance website. Email: [email protected]. Twitter: @SpencerNerd.
We took a close look at over 70 financial institutions, including the largest U.S. banks based on assets, debit card volume, Internet search traffic and other factors; the nation’s largest credit unions, based on deposits as well as broad-based membership requirements; and other notable and/or emerging players in the industry. We rated them on criteria including annual percentage yields, minimum balances, fees, digital experience and more. Financial institutions surveyed include: Alaska USA Federal Credit Union, Alliant Credit Union, Ally Bank, America First Credit Union, American Express, Aspiration, Associated Bank, Axos Bank, Bank5 Connect, Bank7, Bank of America, Bank of the West, Barclays, BB&T, BBVA, Boeing Employees Credit Union, BMO Harris, Capital One 360, Charles Schwab Bank, Chase, Chime, CIT, Citibank, Citizens Access, Citizens Bank, Comerica Bank, Commerce Bank, Connexus Credit Union, Consumers Credit Union, Discover Bank, E-Trade, Fidelity, Fifth Third Bank, First National Bank, First Tech Federal Credit Union, GoBank, Golden 1 Credit Union, GS Bank, HSBC Bank USA, Huntington Bank, KeyBank, MetaBank, M&T Bank, Moven, Navy Federal Credit Union, Pentagon Federal Credit Union, PNC, Popular Direct, PurePoint Financial, Radius Bank, Redneck Bank, Regions Bank, Sallie Mae Bank, Santander Bank, SchoolsFirst Federal Credit Union, Security Service Federal Credit Union, Service Credit Union, Simple, State Employees’ Credit Union of North Carolina, State Farm Bank, Suncoast Credit Union, SunTrust Bank, Synchrony Bank, TCF Bank, TD Bank, TIAA Bank, Union Bank, UFB Direct, USAA, U.S. Bank, Varo, Wells Fargo and Zions Bank.
Japan is sometimes called the Galapagos Islands of technology—a place where systems evolve in parallel to everywhere else in the world. One area in which this is quite apparent, is bank ATMs. While most ATMs you come across will straight out reject your card, if you know where to look, getting a cash advance or withdrawing with a debit card should not be a challenge.
Most commonly found in 7-Eleven convenience stores, 7 Bank ATMs are one of the most reliable places to get out cash with your non-Japanese credit or debit card. One thing to be aware of is that there is a daily limit on the amount you can withdraw on your credit card of ¥100,000. Another is that services may be unavailable for a ten-minute window around midnight—depending on the system your card belongs to. The machines support Plus, Cirrus, Maestro, Visa, Mastercard, Union Pay, American Express, JCB, Discover, and Diner’s Club.
If there are no 7-Eleven machines nearby, another option is the nework of ATMs provided by E.Net. There are more than 13,700 of these ATMs nationwide and they are available 24 hours a day. The machines are usually located in convenience stores and supermarkets. Notably, they can often be found at convenience stores Family Mart, Daily Yamazaki and MiniStop as well as national supermarket chain Maruetsu. Unlike 7-Bank however, they’re not directly connected to the stores, so don’t be surprised if you walk into a Family Mart and find an ATM there that you can’t use with your card.
Japan Post Bank ATMs are bilingual and support most international cards. One issue with Japan Post Bank ATMs are that they are a little less ubiquitous than Seven Bank (although on the other hand they may also be available in small towns without a 7-Eleven.) They also close for business from 9pm until 8am on week days and (depending on the location) from 7pm on weekends. Apparently even ATMs need some time off to rest their weary electronic brains.
Prestia is a banking service for foreign residents in Japan run by SMBC Trust Bank (not to be confused with regular SMBC). Prestia took over Citibank’s operations in Japan in 2015—which included a network of ATMs. In my experience, when my card has been rejected by 7-Bank and Japan Post Bank, I’ve managed to get it to work with Prestia—so if all else fails, head to one of their branches, mostly located near major stations in Tokyo.
While Tokyo is well served by Prestia, the rest of the country is not so much. Prestia has only one branch in Hokkaido, none in Tohoku, seven in Kansai, three in Tokai and one branch in Kyushu.
If you’re arriving without cash and you think you need some, your best bet is to stop before you leave the airport. Both Seven Bank and Prestia have at least one ATM in each of the international terminals at Narita, Haneda and Kansai International Airport.
The most adorable place in Japan.