PIN

Business & Finance abbreviation · Banking

PIN
Stands forPersonal identification number
CategoriesBusiness & Finance

PIN stands for Personal identification number, a banking abbreviation also used in general use.

Short secret numeric code, usually four to six digits, that cardholders enter to authorize ATM withdrawals and card payments, proving they are the legitimate user. Banks never ask customers to reveal a PIN by phone or email.

Example: Cover the keypad when you enter your PIN at the ATM.

Usage notes

Scottish inventor James Goodfellow patented a PIN-based system for cash machines in 1966. "PIN number" is a common redundancy. Chip and PIN became mandatory for most card payments in the UK in 2006, while US card payments relied on signatures for longer. Easily guessed codes such as 1234 are often blocked by banks.

More banking abbreviations

  • NSF – Non-sufficient funds
  • NSFR – Net stable funding ratio
  • OD – Overdraft
  • ODP – Overdraft protection
  • PAN – Primary account number
  • PEP – Politically exposed person
  • PSD2 – Second Payment Services Directive
  • RD – Recurring deposit
  • RDC – Remote deposit capture
  • RTGS – Real-time gross settlement
  • RTN – Routing transit number
  • RTP – Real-Time Payments

See all 80 banking abbreviations →

Edited by the AbbreviationList.com team. Spotted an error or a missing meaning? Contact us.