financial transaction terminal 14 is a financial transaction card reader in communication with at least one financial institution network as such in one embodiment financial transaction terminal 14 includes a financial transaction card reception slot 40 for at least partially receiving financial transaction card 22 in particular financial transaction card 22 includes a magnetic strip 24 along one side of financial transaction card 22 including a magnetic representation of the information necessary to access the consumer financial account linked to or associated with financial transaction card 22 accordingly reception slot 40 extends along a side of financial transaction terminal 14 and includes a reading mechanism capable of accessing magnetic strip 24 to obtain necessary information from financial transaction card 22 financial transaction terminal 14 is configured to selectively receive financial transaction card 22 as financial transaction card 22 is slid from a first end 42 of reception slot 40 to a second end 44 of reception slot 40 as financial transaction card 22 is slid from first end 42 to second end 44 of reception slot 40 the information on magnetic strip 24 is read by financial transaction terminal 14 and the associated financial account is electronically accessed based upon the information from the magnetic strip 24 alternatively in one embodiment financial transaction terminal 14 includes an alternative financial.