An automated banking machine includes a cash dispenser. Servicing the automated banking machine by on-site servicer is facilitated through use of a portable diagnostic article which can instruct the machine computer to gather machine diagnostic data and then record the gathered machine diagnostic data onto the portable diagnostic article. The gathered diagnostic data recorded on the portable diagnostic article can then be analyzed by an analysis computer. The machine computer can verify that a portable diagnostic article is authorized to instruct the machine based on obtaining a secret code from the portable diagnostic article.