In message e.net, at
21:53:47 on Sun, 26 Feb 2012, Mark Goodge
remarked:
Cards that only work in ATMs are almost unknown in the UK. They are
usually general purpose debit cards too (and you can get cash advances
on credit cards).

You can get them on some savings accounts, in order to be able to withdraw
cash but not make payments. I've got one that works like that, although I
rarely use it.

Same here, that's why I know they exist, and hence are "almost" unknown
rather than "completely" unknown.

Of course, back in the day there really were ATN-only cards, I had one
from the Halifax for example. Also the NatWest Servicetill card wasn't
also a debit card until they invented Switch and added it to the card.
Recently, they've been phasing them out and migrating customers to VISA
Debit, now that the "Cheque Guarantee" element of the previous card is
obsolete.
--
Roland Perry