Many people use an automated teller machine (ATM) on a daily basis. From withdrawing money to depositing checks to checking account balance, most of the people depend on ATM machines so much that some will not even live in area where there is no ATM nearby. While the ATMs have come a long way from the early days when ATMs would take a long time to dispense money, there are still many things that need to be improved in order to make using ATMs easier and much safer.

Following is a list of five simple upgrades that banks could implement into the traditional ATM concept. These enhancements may seem minor, though as you read on you’ll realize the important positive impact such changes will bear for customers.

1. Allow for withdrawal of cash in any amount. Majority of the ATMs allow withdrawal in increments of 20 dollar bills. Banks should change this to allow any amount of withdrawal, with the minimum being a dollar or something close. Most credit unions allow withdrawals in increments of $5, which is one of the reasons many people have bank accounts with credit unions. Imagine being stuck in an emergency situation where you need two dollars. You could end up using another bank’s ATM to take out $20 and incur transaction fees on top of that because majority of the banks charge non-customers for using their ATM. Allowing for smaller amounts of withdrawal will surely result in more people using ATMs.
2. Allow instant access to deposited money. Banks can install fake currency mechanism in ATMs and allow anyone to deposit money easily by sliding the money into the machine like an ATM card, instead of going through the hurdle of putting money in an envelope and then depositing that envelope. If vending machines can accept and reject money, then banks can take that concept a step further to have ATMs that take money and work perfectly. Instant verification of the inserted money can ensure that the ATM recognizes fake bills, and can also allow instant update to one’s account so that the deposited money is available right away instead of taking several days to be deposited. This will also result in more people using ATMs as an alternative to going to a branch location during business hours.
3. Allow deposited checks to be cashed instantly. Merchant processors these days allow checks to be cashed online instantly. ATMs can also have such a feature built in, like having a variant of ACH integrated, ensuring that any deposited check gets cashed and charged immediately. The ATM user can also be notified of any problems with a check right away using this method, instead of waiting a week to ten days for a check to clear.
4. Place all keypads deeper into the machine, surrounded by covers. Majority of the ATMs in the world still have a keypad that’s on the same level as the rest of the machine, and thus the only way to hide what one is typing is by covering the ATM like a bat. Currently, signs around ATMs provide customers a list of precautions to take. However, telling a customer a list of dozen precautions creates more fear than the sight of seeing someone with a trench coat standing near an ATM. Some banks place dark shield-type glasses in front of an ATM, detering people from being able to look at an ATM keypad clearly from a straight line. However, those very people may simply move to the side and easily see what one is entering into the keypad. Placing these keypads deeper into the frame of the machine itself will allow only the person standing directly at the ATM to see the keypad, and no one else.
5. Place bright lights near ATMs, and place the ATMs near main roads. Many ATMs are located in the back parking lots, ensuring that even if someone is robbed in broad daylight, a nearby passing car on the main street will never see it happening. On top of that, the lights focusing on the ATMs are always brighter than the surrounding lights, which results in ATM users not being able to see anyone hiding nearby. This is not good, unless the banks want to get their customers to get robbed at forkpoint. ATMs should be placed in bright open spaces with bright lights focusing not only on the ATMs but also on the surrounding areas to ensure that anyone hiding nearby can be spotted easily from a distance and from the ATM itself.

That is the list of 5 things that I think whould make ATMs much better. What do you think? Would any of these changes make life a bit easier for you? Do you have any point in mind that could make ATM transactions a better experience for you?