50 little-known facts about ATMs

Table of Contents

Innovation

ATMs have been around for a long time. Here’s a few facts you may not have known about them.

Photo: Adobe Stock

June 17, 2025 by Bradley Cooper — Editor, ATM Marketplace & Food Truck Operator

ATMs have been around for quite a long time. In fact, the machine will celebrate its 60th birthday in 2027.

The machines are so ubiquitous — almost everyone has seen or interacted with one.

In 60 years, ATMs have evolved from a simple paper-based voucher dispenser to today’s advanced cash recycling, full self-service devices.

To get a look at the past and current state of the Automated Teller Machine, check out these little known ATM facts. (Sources listed below).

The first ATM was released in 1967 at Barclays Bank in London.
Japan unveiled a type of cash dispenser that would loan cash when inserting a credit card.
In 1960 Luther Simjian invented an automated deposit machine for coins, cash and checks. .
Simjian’s device was called the Bankograph and was installed in New York City in 1961. It was later removed due to lack of interest.
Adrian Ashfield invented a card system to identify users for dispensing goods.
The British actor Reg Varney was the first to use the Barclays ATM and posed for a photo.
In order to use the first ATM, customers had to insert carbon-14 impregnated vouchers that customers had to purchase from a teller at Barclays. Prior to the installation of the ATM, bank worker unions were calling for banks to close on Saturdays. The ATM presented an solution to this problem.
The first ATM was designed by John Shepherd-Barron and his team.
Shepherd-Barron would later note that he came up with the idea for an ATM by imagining a chocolate bar dispenser.
The world’s second ATM was installed in Sweden nine days after the Barclays ATM.
ATMs quickly spread around the world, as the Bank of Scotland launched a Scotcash ATM in 1968.
James Goodfellow came up with PINs in 1970.
The National Cash Register unveiled the NCR Model 770 in 1977 for 24-hour self-service banking.
Australia first deployed an ATM in Sydney in 1969.
The first magstripe card ATM was installed in 1969 at the Chemical Bank in New York.
ATMs did see some resistance from bankers due in part to the cost.
NCR Corp(now NCR Atleos) introduced the first drive-thru ATM in Baton Rouge, Louisiana in 1980.
New York City would become a major center for retail ATMs, as Citibank began installing them in 1977 through a $100 million investment.
The island nation of Tuvalu got its first ATM in 2025.
Despite a decline in branches, the ATM industry is expected to grow by 3.6% at a compound annual growth rate.
The U.S. holds the largest market share at 31.34% as of 2024.
The first Interactive Teller Machine was installed by Bank of America in Boston in 2013.
Japan has been an innovator in ATMs, as it developed the first cash recycling ATM in 1982, according to OKI.
As of 2023, there were just under 3 million ATMs in the world.
The most recent data shows around 60% of ATMs are owned by independent operators.
Banks own around 40% of ATMs.
ATMs can dispense other items other than cash. For example, Equibank began dispensing stamps in 1988.
In order to serve the needs of blind customers, in 1999, a speech-enabled ATM was installed at San Francisco City Hall in 1999.
Some ATMs have daily withdrawal limits which average between $300 to $1,000.
ATM fees are continuing to climb, reaching $4.77 as of 2024.
The average ATM is used about 300 times monthly.
Of users, 40% visit the ATM eight to 10 times a month.
The first bitcoin ATM opened in Vancouver, Canada on Oct. 29, 2013.
The first U.S. bitcoin ATM was installed a few months later on Feb. 18, 2014.
The U.S. has the majority of bitcoin ATMs in circulation, although numbers are constantly fluctuating.
Almost half (42.4%) of Gen Z consumers consider the distance to the nearest ATM a major factor in choosing a bank, compared to only 28.8% considering distance to the nearest branch.
Customers are very comfortable with retail ATMs, with 62% reporting they would be very likely to deposit cash into a non-bank ATM, according to a Visa study.
ATMs ranked second as the most significant way customers interact with their bank at 62% (online banking came in first at 65%).
Cash recycling is continuing to grow, with RBR London expecting cash recycling ATMs to exceed 1.2 million units by 2026.
60% of 25 to 34-year-old Americans withdraw $40 eight to 10 times a month.
Average ATM withdrawal amount is $80.
Although ATM cash withdrawals have declined, the value of cash withdrawals has increased during the time period of 2018 to 2021.
The most remote ATMs are located in McMurdo Station in Antarctica.
Modern ATMs are allowing customers to ditch cards entirely thanks to cardless ATMs — customers use their mobile phones to use the ATM.
The world’s highest ATM is 15,397 feet above sea level in Khunjerab Pass on the Pakistan-China border.
Somalia installed its first ATM in 2014 at a hotel in Mogadishu.
Countries that did not have ATMs until 2004 or later: Afghanistan; Laos; Iraq; Vietnam; Kazakhstan and Guyana.
Currently, there are no ATMs in North Korea.

Sources:

https://www.atmmarketplace.com/articles/cardless-atms-deliver-googleapple-pay/

https://history-computer.com/the-complete-history-of-the-first-atm-cash-machine/

https://www.oki.com/global/sustainability/report/csr/2013/OKI_CSR2013e_10_11.pdf

https://www.atmmarketplace.com/news/timeline-the-atms-history/

The History of the ATM

https://www.americanbanker.com/slideshow/the-evolution-of-the-atm

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ATM

Which countries do not have ATMs?

https://www.federalreserve.gov/paymentsystems/2023-April-The-Federal-Reserve-Payments-Study.htm#:~:text=ATM%20cash%20withdrawals%20declined%20at,2018%20to%20%24198%20in%202021.

ATM Statistics

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ATM

9 ATM Statistics and What They Mean

https://smartasset.com/checking-account/daily-atm-withdrawal-limits-daily-debit-purchase-limits

Why the Retail ATM Customer Experience Is More Important Than Ever

https://www.atmmarketplace.com/articles/non-bank-atms-have-hidden-opportunities-amid-challenges/

https://www.bankrate.com/banking/checking/checking-account-survey/

https://www.emarketer.com/content/gen-zers-consider-their-distance-atms-branches-before-choosing-new-bank

https://thefinancialbrand.com/news/banking-technology/interactive-teller-machines-crucial-in-the-digital-banking-age-itm-video-118731

https://coinatmradar.com/countries/

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bitcoin_ATM

https://www.grandviewresearch.com/industry-analysis/atm-market

About Bradley Cooper

Bradley Cooper is the editor of ATM Marketplace and Food Truck Operator. He was previously the editor of Digital Signage Today. His background is in information technology, advertising, and writing.

Connect with Bradley: