Have you ever wanted to check your bank account balance immediately but found bank counters or ATMs too far away, or experienced difficulties because they were outside business hours? In such times, ATMs installed in nearby convenience stores can be helpful. At many convenience store ATMs, you can easily check your balance using your partnered bank’s cash card.
This article provides a detailed explanation of basic information for checking your balance at convenience store ATMs, whether fees apply, specific procedures for major convenience store ATMs, available hours, and precautions to take when using them.
Are There Fees for Balance Inquiries at Convenience Store ATMs?
When checking your balance at a convenience store ATM, fees are a concern. To put it simply, at many convenience store ATMs, balance inquiries using a partnered bank’s cash card can be done free of charge.
However, please note the following points:
- Partnership Status: Your cash card must be partnered with the convenience store ATM you wish to use. If it’s not partnered, you may not be able to perform a balance inquiry at all, or a fee might be charged.
- Some Exceptions: Although extremely rare, there’s a non-zero possibility that fees may be charged by specific financial institutions or under certain conditions (e.g., for accounts inactive for a certain period). However, for general use, balance inquiries at major convenience store ATMs (such as Seven Bank ATMs, Lawson Bank ATMs, E-net ATMs, Aeon Bank ATMs, etc.) can be considered free.
- Impact of Time of Day: While fees for deposits, withdrawals, or transfers may vary depending on the time of day, there is generally no time-based fee variation for balance inquiries.
To be safe, it’s better to check the information regarding fees on the ATM screen or the website of your cash card issuing financial institution.
[By Convenience Store] Balance Inquiry Procedures and Available Hours
This section explains the general procedure for balance inquiries and available hours for major convenience store ATMs. Operating methods may vary slightly depending on the ATM model, but the basic flow is similar.
Balance Inquiry Procedure at Seven Bank ATMs
- Procedure Overview:
- Select “Balance Inquiry (残高照会)” on the ATM screen.
- Insert your bank cash card.
- Enter your PIN.
- Your account balance will be displayed on the screen.
- If you need a transaction slip, press a button like “Issue Transaction Slip (ご利用明細発行)” (or it may be issued automatically).
- Retrieve your cash card.
- Available Hours: Generally 24/7 (excluding system maintenance times). However, some partner financial institutions may have unavailable time slots.
Source: Using ATMs | Seven Bank
Balance Inquiry Procedure at Lawson Bank ATMs
- Procedure Overview:
- Select “Balance Inquiry (残高照会)” on the ATM screen.
- Insert your cash card and enter your PIN.
- Your account balance will be displayed on the screen.
- If you need a transaction slip, issue it and retrieve your cash card.
- Available Hours: Generally 24 hours (excluding partner financial institution’s service hours and system maintenance times).
Source: Using ATMs | Lawson Bank
Balance Inquiry Procedure at FamilyMart (E-net/Japan Post Bank ATMs)
FamilyMart primarily has E-net ATMs and Japan Post Bank ATMs installed.
E-net ATM
- Procedure Overview:
- Select “Balance Inquiry (残高照会)” on the ATM screen.
- Insert your cash card and enter your PIN.
- Your account balance will be displayed on the screen.
- Issue the transaction slip (select or automatic) and retrieve your cash card.
- Available Hours: Generally 24 hours (excluding partner financial institution’s service hours and system maintenance times).
Source: E-net Co., Ltd.
Japan Post Bank ATM (FamilyMart installed type)
- Procedure Overview:
- Select “Balance Inquiry (残高照会)” or “Balance Check (残高確認)” on the ATM screen.
- Insert your Japan Post Bank cash card or passbook and enter your PIN (may not be required for passbooks).
- Your account balance will be displayed on the screen.
- Issue the transaction slip and retrieve your card or passbook.
- Available Hours: Generally 24 hours, but may be unavailable during certain times. Smaller machines installed in FamilyMart may have shorter hours.
Source: Branches/ATMs – Japan Post Bank
Balance Inquiry Procedure at Ministop (Aeon Bank ATMs)
- Procedure Overview:
- Select “Balance Inquiry (残高照会)” on the ATM screen.
- Insert your Aeon Bank cash card or a partner bank’s cash card and enter your PIN.
- Your account balance will be displayed on the screen.
- Issue the transaction slip and retrieve your cash card.
- Available Hours: Generally 24 hours (excluding system maintenance times).
Source: ATM Services | Aeon Bank
Points to Check and Precautions for Balance Inquiries
When checking your balance at a convenience store ATM, pay attention to the following points:
- PIN Management: Manage your PIN strictly so it’s not known by others, and take sufficient care of your surroundings when entering it, such as by covering your hand.
- Cash Card Handling: Even for balance inquiries only, insert and remove your cash card carefully and be cautious about loss or theft.
- Handling of Transaction Slips: Transaction slips displaying your balance are personal information. If unneeded, dispose of them properly, such as by shredding, to prevent them from being seen by others. Avoid throwing them directly into convenience store trash cans.
- Check Your Surroundings: While operating the ATM, be mindful of your surroundings and check for any suspicious individuals. Do not let your guard down, even for quick operations like balance inquiries.
- Avoid Occupying the ATM for Too Long: Balance inquiries are relatively quick operations. During busy times, be considerate of other users and avoid occupying the ATM for extended periods.
- Habit of Regular Checks: Balance inquiries can also help in the early detection of fraudulent use. It’s a good habit to regularly check your account balance for any unfamiliar withdrawals.
- Utilize Online Banking or Apps: While balance inquiries at convenience store ATMs are convenient, using smartphone apps or online banking allows you to check your balance more easily, anytime and anywhere. Consider using these in conjunction.
Checking your balance at a convenience store ATM is a convenient way to easily check your account status free of charge. However, it is important to pay sufficient attention to security and handle personal information with care. Check which ATMs your cash card is compatible with and their available hours, and use them effectively.