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National Switch System (194)

System Definition

The National Switch System (194) is a system that connects all ATMs belonging to banks and electronic points of sale operating in Palestine within a unified network, so that any citizen who holds an ATM card can withdraw from any ATM or use any point of sale in Palestine at anytime and anywhere without having to be restricted to the withdrawal from the ATMs of the bank he/she deals with.

System Objectives

  1. Develop the retail payment system in Palestine by expanding the development of money transfers using modern electronic methods and gradually dispensing with traditional payment tools.
  2. Enhance cash management to make it available to citizens, companies, SMEs and micro-enterprises when needed and anywhere.
  3. Reduce the material costs to citizens by reducing the demand for banking services in a traditional way, as well as saving them time and effort from waiting for long periods of time inside bank headquarters.
  4. Facilitate access to electronic banking for all segments of society and to use it easily to contribute to enhancing financial inclusion.
  5. Reduce the operational and administrative costs of banks by reducing the phenomenon of overcrowding of citizens within bank headquarters.

System Features

The National Switch System (194) offers a range of electronic banking services that make it easier for citizens to access and use such services. The services are as follows:

  1. Provide cash withdrawal service from all ATMs.
  2. Provide balance enquiry from all ATMs.
  3. Provide the possibility of carrying out shopping and paying for goods through all electronic points of sale (POS) scattered in shopping malls and stores.
  4. Keeping up with the requirements for progress in the field of electronic payment cards.

ATM card properties that can be used through the National Switch System (194):

Debit or pre-paid ATM cards that are:

  1. Issued with current and savings accounts by any of the banks operating in Palestine.
  2. The cardholder does not need to keep a large amount of banknotes in his wallet to avoid the risk of the money being stolen or lost.
  3. Fees for the use of the ATM card and the National Switch System (194) are reduced compared to fees charged for traditional cash withdrawals through the branch counter.
  4. Cash withdrawals from an ATM are not subject to fees if withdrawals are made from the ATMs of the bank that issued the card. It is subject to reduced fees if withdrawals are made from any ATM belonging to other banks operating in Palestine.

General Guidelines for the Use of an ATM Card

  1. Keep your card in the same place in your wallet so you can immediately notice if it is lost or stolen.
  2. Do not allow anyone else to use your card.
  3. Do not give your card details to any person who is unknown to you, or you do not trust.
  4. Do not write your PIN on the back of the card or keep it in your wallet or anywhere that can be easily found.
  5. Always keep your card issuer’s phone number so you can directly report any case of theft or loss.
  6. Immediately inform the issuer bank if the card is lost or stolen.
  7. Destroy your old card once you get a new card.
  8. Subscribe to the free SMS service, enabling you to always see all transactions on your accounts.