Abstract: A method is provided for reducing customer transaction time in an automated teller machine (ATM) having various peripheral devices associated therewith. Each peripheral device associated with the ATM; e.g., a card handler mechanism, a printer mechanism, one or more cash dispense mechanisms, and a depository mechanism, include a dedicated processor and memory for controlling the operation of the peripheral device connected thereto. The ATM also includes a peripheral control unit connected to the various subsystem controllers and to an ATM control unit for receiving generated transaction sequence event messages and in response thereto concurrently processing the messages to initiate simultaneous real-time operation of the various peripheral devices. For example, the concurrent processing of transaction sequence event messages allows completion of the card read activity, entry of a customer PIN and printing of the customer receipt header to take place simultaneously.