What is in US "check-cashing joint"?

There are many franchised check-cashing facilities these days - small "store-front" establishments which specialize in cashing government and payroll checks for a percentage. Some will also advance cash til payday.

- A.

Thanks Avangi for answer!
Okay, so can I translate it as ATM?
thank you again.

Best Regards

Not necessarily. There are a few high end ATM machines which are capable of cashing checks and paying bills, but I'm sure your excerpt refers to a walk-in establishment. (Perhaps my use of "store-front" was unfamiliar. It's the kind of minimum-sized establishement you'd find in a strip mall. Hmmm - Do you know "strip mall"?

Thanks Avangi.
Hm, from your description I feels that it is something between a little bank and a small finance institution.
Problem is that I don't know howto put it into my native language..

I would like to add that such places are notorious for exploiting the poor. I wish there wasn't a word for them in my native language, either.

I'd describe it as smaller than a small bank, employing no more than two or three people. I've never been inside one (not that I'm never hard up for cash) but I have the impression the client has access only to a counter across the front of the establishment, much as one has when visiting the dry cleaner.

My objection to the ATM analogy is that many ATM's are no bigger than a Cok

Do NOT translate it as ATM. ATMs are simply machine.
These places will take your pay check and give you cash - but they keep some. If you don't have enough money until payday, they will advance you cash as exploitive interest rates.
They are often unscrupulous.

Okay, thank you guys to all of you!
I think I understand now what it is and yes, ATM isn't good idea.
I'll try to figure out something.

Best Regards