Multibanco

MultiBanco is the uniform ATM network and the debit card system of banks in Portugal.

It is sponsored by Portuguese companies SIBS SGPS, SA (originally Sociedade de Servicos Interbancaria, SA ) out of a private limited company whose shares are held by 27 shareholders, all of the Portuguese banking sector. 1985 was erected the first vending machine in Lisbon Rossio at a Banco Nacional Marino Ultra - branch (now Caixa Geral de Depósitos ).

The system with 64 banks, four savings banks, cooperative banks and 110 largely connected to all banks in the country.

With about 60 functions, it is one of the most powerful systems in the world. In addition to the opportunities to receive cash or to make payments, similar to the electronic cash system, or the Giro cards in Germany, the multi Bancos offer a number of other ways including Alfa pendular- and Intercidades train ticket purchase, various taxes and fees payments ( water, electricity, tuition fees, etc.), hunting and fishing license acquisition, charging of mobile airtime, PIN changes, Via Verde motorway vignettes, including It accepts all major credit and debit card systems, including VISA, MasterCard, EC, Cirrus, American Express, among others

Operation menu can be selected in various languages, including German. Payouts are a 400, - Euro daily limit. Portuguese banks do not charge fees for withdrawals from multi Bancos, but customers of foreign banks are often at home will charge fees for withdrawals from their bank.

2009 MultiBanco system has been awarded the European eGovernment Award.

The multi Bancos enjoy a very wide acceptance and make Portugal the country with one of the highest density of ATMs worldwide.

In Portugal, including the Azores and Madeira, the number of machines is increased by 2010 to 14,126 to 2011 to fall for the first time in its history, to 13,991 pieces. The reason lies in the last shrinking number of bank switches in Portugal as a result of bank mergers and their cost reduction programs. The number of card terminals, such as in retail is the first time declined, and in 2011 was around 274,000.