That’s unexpected.

I’ve never thought about it before. In the UK getting your balance is on every ATM. The ATMs are all different makes and models, interfaces, OSes, different banks, etc. the only thing I can think of that is the same is they are all connected to LINK - maybe they have set standards for what they should all have/have not?

Anti-feature: you must enter your PIN before it shows you the menu. Does that mean it connects to my bank even in the absense of a transaction?

This is the same in the UK. They request your PIN immediately after putting in your card (althogh I think if you use a credit card it will prompt for your language first), but it doesn’t use it until it needs to connect to your bank (I know this after knowingly mistakenly putting in my PIN, then attempting to get my balance or something and then the card is ejected and the message about incorrect PIN appears).