<i>.is that what a swipe card is?</i> If the ATm is like the ones in California, the card disappears into the machine. That is more than a swipe from my point of view. A swipe implies that the user can hold on to the card at all times while doing the transaction.

No, in this one it goes in (and comes right back out, unlike the kind where it stays in the machine for the entire transaction) so it does sound like it is like the CA ones, so I guess I do not know what a "swipe" card is.

>>If the ATm is like the ones in California, the card disappears into the machine. <<

One can't generalize on that. I am also in CA. Some inhale the card and return it at the end. Some you swipe through the card reader and it never goes in to the guts of the machine.

I think it depends on which bank. I have accounts in three banks and one credit union and they have different style machines.

Actually I was referring to my experience with BofA ATMs, where the card is swallowed and returned before one enters the security code; but I do not consider that swiping.

"swiping" i interpret as being one where you never lose sight of or touch with the card, like some retailers machines where they or you swipe it through.

the ATMs i am familiar with you either push your card into a slot so that about 1/3 of it is still visible, or the whole lot is swallowed and then regurgitated, hopefully, once you have your money.

or not.

I've never seen an ATM that's a swipe.