In every ATM I've seen, the card is "swallowed" by the machine, and returned at one point or another (or not, if you type the wrong PIN 3 times or whatever). This leads to people forgetting the card, as exemplified in Why don't ATMs give you cash before your card?
However, many other machines - vending machines, auto-parking, gas pumps, supermarket auto-checkouts, etc. - only require that you swipe the card. This looks better to me - the card never leaves your hand, and you're much less likely to forget it.
Why this difference between ATMs and other machines? Is it just so the ATM can swallow your card if it doesn't like you or your PIN attempts?
Answer
By holding onto the card, the user is clearly informed that their transaction is not yet complete. If the card was given back before any transaction, the user may be uncertain as to whether they are still authenticated. Giving back a physical piece of identity makes it absolutely clear that you have 'logged out'.
There is a perceived and an actual security risk involved. Suppose for example you 'sign in' to your account, and the machine gives back your card immediately. You may withdraw £100, and when prompted 'Do you wish to perform another transaction?' you may accidentally select 'Yes' rather than 'No', particularly if you do not understand the language the machine is using. Walking away from the machine at this point would obviously be a huge security risk.
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