Account Transfers at Convenience Store ATMs | How to Make Bank Transfers Using a Cash Card, Fees, and Limits

When you need to make an urgent payment or when bank counters are closed, you can easily make bank transfers from your account using your cash card at a convenience store ATM. This method is called an “account transfer” or “cash card transfer,” and it has different characteristics from transfers made by directly depositing cash.

This article provides a detailed explanation, from the basics of account transfers at convenience store ATMs, to the operating procedures for major convenience store ATMs, fees, transfer limits, tips for reducing fees, and important precautions when using them.

What are Account Transfers (Cash Card Transfers) at Convenience Store ATMs?

An account transfer (cash card transfer) at a convenience store ATM is a transaction where you use your bank cash card to move funds from your own bank account to a designated recipient’s account. Instead of depositing cash into the ATM, authentication is performed using your cash card and PIN, and the transfer is executed within the balance of your account.

Main Differences from Cash Transfers and Usage Benefits

Account transfers at convenience store ATMs have several differences and benefits compared to “cash transfers,” where cash is directly deposited into the ATM.

Main Differences:

Item	Account Transfer (Cash Card Transfer)	Cash Transfer
Source of Funds	Your own bank account balance	Cash on hand
Authentication Method	Cash card and PIN	(Depending on the ATM) Input of phone number, etc.
Transfer Limit	Depends on cash card’s set limit and ATM regulations (can exceed 100,000 yen)	Up to 100,000 yen per transaction by law at ATMs
Transaction History	Clearly recorded in passbook or online banking	Transfer slip is the main record
Fees	Often cheaper than cash transfers or may have preferential rates from your bank	Tends to have relatively higher fees

Usage Benefits:

• Transfers exceeding 100,000 yen are possible: While cash transfers at ATMs are limited to 100,000 yen per transaction, account transfers allow for larger amounts within your cash card’s usage limit.
• No need to carry cash: You can make transfers safely and easily without needing to carry large amounts of cash.
• Clear transaction records: The transfer date, amount, and recipient are clearly recorded in your passbook or online banking history, making management easy.
• Fee preferences: Depending on your financial institution, cash card transfer fees at your bank’s ATMs or partner ATMs may be free or discounted.
• Smooth operation: Since there’s no need to count and insert cash, the operation time at the ATM is relatively shorter.

What You Need for an Account Transfer (Cash Card Transfer)

When making an account transfer (cash card transfer) at a convenience store ATM, you will need the following:

• Originating Cash Card: Your own account’s cash card, within its validity period, and with a properly functioning magnetic stripe or IC chip.
• Cash Card PIN: The correct 4-digit PIN. Be careful, as entering it incorrectly multiple times can lock your card.
• Recipient’s Account Information:
  • Financial institution name (bank name, credit union name, etc.)
  • Branch name (or branch code)
  • Account type (savings account, checking account, etc.)
  • Account number (usually 7 digits)
  • Recipient’s name (accurate Katakana spelling)
• Transfer Amount

Preparing this information accurately in advance will enable a smooth transaction.

[By Major Convenience Store ATM] Account Transfer (Cash Card Transfer) Procedures, Fees, and Limits

This section explains the general procedure for account transfers (cash card transfers), estimated fees, and transfer limits for major convenience store ATMs. Fees and limits may vary depending on your financial institution, your transaction status, and the ATM model, so always check the latest information on the ATM screen before making a transaction.

Account Transfer at Seven Bank ATMs: Operating Procedure, Fees, Transfer Limit

• Operating Procedure Overview:
  1. Select “Transfer (お振込み)” on the ATM screen.
  2. Insert your cash card and enter your PIN.
  3. Enter the recipient’s financial institution, branch name, account number, transfer amount, etc., following the on-screen instructions.
  4. Confirm the transfer details and fee, then execute.
  5. Receive the transaction slip.
• Fees: Vary depending on the transfer amount and the recipient’s financial institution.
• Transfer Limit: 2 million yen/day (initial setting), and within the daily transfer limit set by the cash card issuing financial institution.

Source: Using ATMs | Seven Bank

Account Transfer at Lawson Bank ATMs: Operating Procedure, Fees, Transfer Limit

• Operating Procedure Overview:
  1. Select “Transfer (お振込み)” on the ATM screen.
  2. Insert your cash card and enter your PIN.
  3. Follow the on-screen instructions to enter the recipient’s financial institution information and transfer amount.
  4. Confirm the transfer details and fee, then execute.
  5. Receive the transaction slip.
• Fees: Vary depending on the transfer amount and the recipient’s financial institution.
• Transfer Limit: 500,000 yen/transaction (initial setting), and within the daily transfer limit set by the cash card issuing financial institution.

Source: Using ATMs | Lawson Bank

Account Transfer at FamilyMart (E-net/Japan Post Bank ATMs): Operating Procedure, Fees, Transfer Limit

ATMs installed in FamilyMart are mainly E-net ATMs and Japan Post Bank ATMs.

E-net ATM

• Operating Procedure Overview:
  1. Select “Transfer (お振込み)” on the ATM screen.
  2. Insert your cash card and enter your PIN.
  3. Enter the recipient’s information and transfer amount following the on-screen instructions.
  4. Confirm the details and fee, then execute the transfer.
  5. Receive the transaction slip.
• Fees: Vary depending on the transfer amount and the recipient’s financial institution.
• Transfer Limit: Within the transfer limit set by the cash card issuing financial institution and E-net ATM regulations.

Source: E-net Co., Ltd.

Japan Post Bank ATM (FamilyMart installed type)

• Operating Procedure Overview:
  1. Select “Remittance (ご送金)” or “Transfer (お振込み)” on the ATM screen.
  2. Insert your Japan Post Bank cash card or a partner financial institution’s cash card and enter your PIN.
  3. Select the recipient (Japan Post Bank account or other bank account) and enter the account information and amount.
  4. Confirm the details and fee, then execute.
  5. Receive the transaction slip.
• Fees: Vary depending on the transfer amount and the recipient’s financial institution.
• Transfer Limit: 500,000 yen/day (initial setting), and within the daily transfer limit set by the cash card issuing financial institution.

Source: Branches/ATMs – Japan Post Bank

Account Transfer at Ministop (Aeon Bank ATMs): Operating Procedure, Fees, Transfer Limit

• Operating Procedure Overview:
  1. Select “Transfer (お振込み)” on the ATM screen.
  2. Insert your Aeon Bank cash card or a partner bank’s cash card and enter your PIN.
  3. Follow the on-screen instructions to enter the recipient’s information and transfer amount.
  4. Confirm the transfer details and fee, then execute.
  5. Receive the transaction slip.
• Fees: Vary depending on the transfer amount and the recipient’s financial institution.
• Transfer Limit: 500,000 yen/day (initial setting), and within the daily transfer limit set by the cash card issuing financial institution.

Source: ATM Services | Aeon Bank

Tips for Reducing Account Transfer Fees at Convenience Store ATMs

It may be possible to reduce account transfer fees at convenience store ATMs with a few strategies.

• Check your bank’s preferential services: See if your bank offers services that waive transfer fees for using specific convenience store ATMs or provide preferential treatment based on your transaction status.
• Intra-bank transfers: If the sender and recipient accounts are with the same bank, fees are generally free or set lower than for transfers to other banks.
• Use during cheaper fee times (if applicable): Some financial institutions may offer lower transfer fees during specific times, such as weekday daytime hours.
• Utilize online banking or bank apps: Internet banking and bank apps accessible via smartphone or computer often have lower transfer fees than ATMs. Compare the fees.
• Consider the transfer amount: If fees are tiered by transfer amount (e.g., less than 30,000 yen vs. 30,000 yen or more), you might consider consolidating transactions within a fee bracket.

Precautions When Using Account Transfers (Cash Card Transfers) at Convenience Store ATMs

Pay close attention to the following points when making account transfers at convenience store ATMs.

Accurate Input of Recipient Account Information

If there are errors in the recipient’s financial institution name, branch name, account type, account number, or recipient name, the transfer will not be processed correctly. In the worst case, the funds may not reach the recipient, or they may be transferred to the wrong recipient, requiring a “recall” procedure to retrieve the funds. Recalls incur fees and take time. Pay utmost attention during input and always double-check on the ATM’s confirmation screen.

Transfer Execution Time and Deposit Timing (Regarding Next Business Day Processing)

While convenience store ATMs are often operational 24 hours, be aware of transfer processing times. Generally, transfers made outside bank business hours (e.g., after 3 PM on weekdays, or on weekends and holidays) may be credited to the recipient’s account on the next business day. However, if the recipient’s financial institution participates in the More Time System (a system supporting 24/7 instant transfers) and the sender’s financial institution also supports it, funds may be deposited instantly even outside business hours. For urgent transfers, check the guidance on the ATM screen or your bank’s information beforehand.

Confirmation of Daily Transfer Limit and Availability of Change Method

For security purposes, cash cards have a daily limit on the amount that can be transferred (transfer limit). This limit is set for each customer, separate from the ATM’s own per-transaction limit. If you plan to make a large transfer, you need to confirm your transfer limit in advance. Checking or changing the limit (increasing or decreasing) can usually be done at a bank counter or via online banking. Transfer limits cannot be changed at convenience store ATMs. From a security perspective, it is recommended to avoid setting an unnecessarily high limit and to set it to an appropriate range.