Abstract: A machine and method for preparing and dispensing documents relating to financial transactions. The machine contains a printer for printing the documents and, optionally, a bar code and/or a MICR reader mounted for movement with the print head of the printer for reading information from each document before/during printing. The machine includes a control unit (which includes a CPU, memories, and input/output devices), an input unit (which may be constituted by a keypad and/or an alphanumeric keyboard), and means for communicating with a remote supervisory location. Operation of the machine may be controlled from the remote supervisory location, which provides periodic authorization to continue to prepare and dispense documents in response to transaction reports, including matching of purchaser and/or beneficiary identification information with one or more lists of restricted customers, which are transmitted from the machine to the remote supervisory location.