STAR is an interbank network

Interbank network

An interbank network, also known as an ATM consortium or ATM network, is a computer network that connects the ATMs of different banks and permits these ATMs to interact with the ATM cards of non-native banks....

 and EFTPOS

EFTPOS

EFTPOS is the general term used for debit card based systems used for processing transactions through terminals at points of sale. In Australia and New Zealand it is also the brand name of the specific system used for such payments...

 network in the United States

United States

The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...

. It is the largest American interbank network, with 250,000 ATMs

Automated teller machine

An automated teller machine or automatic teller machine, also known as a Cashpoint , cash machine or sometimes a hole in the wall in British English, is a computerised telecommunications device that provides the clients of a financial institution with access to financial transactions in a public...

, 134 million cardholders and over 5,700 participating financial institution

Financial institution

In financial economics, a financial institution is an institution that provides financial services for its clients or members. Probably the most important financial service provided by financial institutions is acting as financial intermediaries...

s. The network is owned and operated by STAR Networks, a subsidiary company of First Data

First Data

First Data Corporation is an American payment processing company headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia. First Data is a provider of electronic commerce and payment solutions...

. Its primary competitors include NYCE

NYCE

The New York Currency Exchange is an interbank network connecting the ATMs of various financial institutions in the United States and Canada. NYCE also serves as an EFTPOS network for NYCE-linked ATM cards....

 and Pulse

Pulse (interbank network)

PULSE is an interbank electronic funds transfer network in the United States. It serves more than 4,400 U.S. financial institutions and includes more than 380,000 ATMs, as well as POS terminals nationwide...

.

The STAR network was originally known as STAR System and operated primarily on the west coast.

Mergers

The network has existed since the 1980s, and has since included several other networks, mostly in the 2000s:

• Alert
• BankMate
• Cactus
• Cash Station
• Explore
• HONOR
• MAC
• MOST
• VIA