In Brief (TL;DR)
Today’s automated teller machines, known as advanced ATMs, allow you to do much more than simple cash withdrawals, transforming into true multifunctional hubs.
These modern machines offer a wide range of services, from depositing cash and checks to paying bills and F24 tax forms.
In this comprehensive guide, you’ll discover how to make the most of them for operations like depositing cash and checks, paying taxes, and managing your account.
The devil is in the details. 👇 Keep reading to discover the critical steps and practical tips to avoid mistakes.
For decades, the image of the automated teller machine has been linked to a single function: withdrawing cash. A quick, almost ritualistic gesture to get the money needed for daily expenses. Today, however, this view is outdated. ATMs, an acronym for Automated Teller Machine, have transformed into true self-service centers, capable of performing complex operations that, until recently, required a trip to a bank branch. This evolution represents a bridge between banking tradition and digital innovation, a particularly significant change in the Italian and Mediterranean context, where an attachment to cash coexists with a growing adoption of electronic payments.
Forget the idea of the “ATM” as a simple cash dispenser. Modern machines, often called advanced ATMs or self-service kiosks, are multifunctional hubs designed to simplify our financial lives. They allow you to manage your checking account independently, 24/7, combining the convenience of digital with the tangibility of a physical location. This article explores the new frontiers of automated teller machines, showing how they have become an indispensable tool for a wide range of operations, far beyond simple withdrawals.
Skip the Line at the Branch: New Services at Your Fingertips
The most obvious transformation of modern ATMs lies in the expansion of their functionalities. No longer just a cash outlet, but a true interactive terminal where you can perform transactions that once forced you into long waits at the bank. The goal is clear: to offer customers autonomy, speed, and flexibility by integrating digital services into a familiar and accessible physical interface. This evolution meets the needs of a fast-moving society that demands immediate solutions for managing its finances. The new ATMs are the banks’ answer to the need to optimize processes and make customers more independent.
Smart ATMs are machines that have more functionalities than simply dispensing cash. They can allow consumers to perform tasks that previously required an appointment at a local branch.
Deposit Cash and Checks Without an Envelope
One of the most significant innovations is the ability to deposit cash and checks directly at the machine, without needing the old-fashioned envelope. Thanks to advanced scanners, advanced ATMs can count banknotes and read check data in real time. The process is simple: you insert the banknotes or check into the appropriate slot, the machine processes the transaction, displays the amount on the screen for confirmation, and credits the sum to your account, often with almost immediate availability. This process is not only faster but also more secure, eliminating the risk of errors or discrepancies related to manual counting at the branch. The receipt, available in both paper and digital form, certifies the completed transaction.
Digital Payments at a Physical Terminal
Another major advantage of new-generation ATMs is the ability to pay taxes, bills, and other utilities. Many machines are enabled for paying F24 forms, both standard and simplified, an extremely useful feature for citizens and sole proprietors who prefer not to operate exclusively online. Similarly, you can pay postal payment slips, MAV, and RAV bills. The interface guides the user step-by-step, often using a barcode or QR code reader to automatically capture payment data. This integration transforms the ATM into a multi-purpose office where you can manage your tax and administrative deadlines at any time, without time constraints.
Top-Ups and Utility Management
In addition to complex payments, advanced ATMs maintain and enhance everyday utility functions. Topping up phone credit is one of the most common and quickest operations to perform. Likewise, you can recharge prepaid cards, such as Postepay, directly from the machine by transferring funds from your checking account. In some cities, ATMs are integrated with public transport systems, allowing you to top up travel passes or buy tickets. These seemingly minor features help make the ATM a central point of reference for managing both small and large financial needs, consolidating its role as a versatile and indispensable tool.
The ATM as Your Personal Bank Teller
The real revolution of modern ATMs is their ability to replicate most traditional teller operations, transforming into a true automated “personal banker.” In addition to basic transactions, you can now access a range of account management services that offer a complete overview and direct control over your finances. This evolution gives users unprecedented autonomy, making daily banking management more streamlined and immediate. The advanced features are designed for those who want quick and secure access to their account information without having to go through home banking or a mobile app.
Balance, Transactions, and Account Operations
While in the past, checking your balance and recent transactions was the main informational feature, today’s ATMs offer much more. You can print a detailed mini-statement, view transactions for a specific period, and, in some cases, perform actions like transfers between your own accounts or wire transfers to other accounts. Although full SEPA transfers are still more common via home banking, many ATMs allow you to set up basic transfers. You can also manage your cards, for example, by viewing and changing your withdrawal and payment limits, a useful feature for customizing the security and usability of your payment instruments.
Cardless Withdrawal: Your Smartphone Becomes Your ATM Card
Cardless withdrawal is one of the most convenient and secure innovations of recent years. This technology allows you to withdraw cash using only your smartphone, without needing to insert a physical card into the machine. It works simply: through your bank’s app, you generate a temporary code or scan a QR code displayed on the ATM screen. Authentication is done via PIN or biometric data (fingerprint or facial recognition) directly on your phone. This method is not only useful if you forget your wallet but also significantly increases security by eliminating the risk of card cloning or PIN theft via skimming devices. It’s a perfect example of how digital wallets are changing our relationship with money.
Tradition and Innovation: The Italian and European Context
The evolution of ATMs fits into a specific cultural context, especially in Italy and the Mediterranean region. Despite the rapid growth of digital payments, which in 2025 surpassed cash in terms of value, the use of banknotes remains deeply rooted. Italy is among the Eurozone countries with the highest cash usage, especially among the elderly population and in less urbanized areas. In this scenario, advanced ATMs play a crucial role as a “bridge.” They offer advanced digital services in a physical and familiar format, reassuring those who are less tech-savvy but still want to benefit from greater efficiency. They represent a perfect compromise between the tradition of the physical bank counter and the innovation of online banking.
In a country like Italy, still tied to a cash culture, the advanced ATM doesn’t replace digital banking but complements it, making it accessible in a physical and trusted location.
This duality reflects a broader European trend. While Northern European countries are moving quickly towards cashless societies, the Mediterranean area is showing a more gradual transition. The decline in the number of traditional bank branches, a phenomenon known as banking desertification, is partly offset by the installation of new-generation ATMs, which ensure the continuity of essential services across the territory. These devices are therefore not just a technological innovation, but also a social tool that ensures access to banking services for all citizens.
Security: An Aspect Not to Be Underestimated
As functionalities increase, so does the importance of security. Banks constantly invest in protecting ATMs from physical and cyber threats. Modern machines are equipped with anti-skimming systems, designed to prevent the installation of devices that clone cards. A skimmer is a fraudulent reader that captures data from the magnetic stripe, often paired with a micro-camera to steal the PIN. It’s always a good practice, before any transaction, to check that the card slot and keypad show no anomalies or suspicious parts. If in doubt, it’s better not to use the machine and to report it to the bank. Knowing how to recognize a tampered ATM is the first line of defense.
Beyond physical threats, there is the risk of malware attacks that can infect the ATM’s software. For this reason, financial institutions use advanced protection software and secure networks. However, the user must also do their part: always covering your hand while entering your PIN is a golden rule to protect yourself from prying eyes or hidden cameras. New technologies like cardless withdrawal and contactless payments via NFC further reduce risks, as the card is never inserted and the PIN is not typed on the public keypad. Finally, in case of problems like a lost or retained card, it is crucial to immediately contact your bank’s toll-free number to block it.
Conclusion
The era when the ATM was just a cash dispenser is definitively over. Today, these advanced machines have become true multifunctional service centers, capable of radically simplifying our interaction with the bank. From depositing cash and checks to paying taxes and bills, through account management and innovative cardless withdrawal methods, the features offered are increasingly broad and sophisticated. This transformation takes on particular value in the Italian context, acting as a bridge between the deep-rooted cash culture and the unstoppable push towards digitalization.
Modern ATMs are not just a technological response to the needs of an evolving market, but also a tool for financial inclusion. They guarantee access to essential banking services even in areas where physical branches are declining, while offering a safe and practical alternative for anyone not comfortable with exclusively online operations. The future of ATMs will likely see them even more integrated with the digital world, with features based on artificial intelligence and biometrics, but their role as a physical and reliable point of contact will remain central for a long time, confirming their strategic importance in the financial services landscape.
Frequently Asked Questions
An advanced ATM, or self-service area, offers many operations beyond withdrawals. You can deposit cash and checks with immediate credit, pay bills, taxes like the F24 form, top up your phone or prepaid cards, and check your account balance and transactions. Some also allow you to make wire transfers and transfers between your accounts.
Yes, the operation is secure. Advanced ATMs are equipped with scanners that count banknotes and capture an image of the check in real time. At the end of the operation, the machine issues a receipt confirming the deposit, with details of the amount and, in the case of checks, often an image of the check itself. The transaction is recorded on the account immediately.
To pay a bill or a simplified F24 form, you need to select the appropriate function on the ATM. Most modern machines have a barcode or QR code reader to automatically capture the data from the document. After scanning, the amount and details are displayed on the screen for confirmation. The payment can be debited directly from your account or, at some ATMs, also be made in cash.
Many ATMs, especially advanced ones, offer top-up services for mobile phones and prepaid cards. However, the feature is not universal and depends on the individual bank and the specific machine. You can usually top up SIM cards from major phone carriers and prepaid cards issued by your own or other partner banks.
No, not all ATMs are advanced. Advanced features like deposits and payments are usually found at ‘advanced ATMs’ or in ‘self-service kiosks,’ often located inside or near larger bank branches. It’s a good idea to check your bank’s website to find these locations or look for specific signs on the machine itself.
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