Bank introduces personal automated teller at SIUE
From Illinois Business Journal news services
EDWARDSVILLE — The cutting edge just got a little sharper when it comes to banking.
The Bank of Edwardsville’s Cougar Center, in the Morris University Center on the campus of Southern Illinois University Edwardsville, recently introduced its latest in a long line of technological advances – the personal automated teller.
With these new-age ATMs, customers can talk to a teller on a video monitor built into the ATM, giving the customer more options than a traditional ATM. The machines have the same functions as a traditional ATM, with the added benefits of being able to speak with a real human teller on demand.
“They’re convenient, faster and more personable than regular ATMs,” said Becky Yarbrough, Cougar Center manager. “And most importantly, they allow us to provide better service to our customers. We’re still able to have that face-to-face connection with our customers and offer them the help they need, when they need it.”
The addition of video and audio capabilities, as well as check scanners and signature pads, to traditional ATM services allows the machines to accommodate more nuanced requests. For instance, if you want to withdraw more cash than an ATM
allows, or cash a check down to the penny, the personal automated teller has you covered. It comes stocked with a range of coins and bills, unlike a traditional ATM, which usually only refunds in increments of $20.
But where the new machine really shines is in doing a number of complex transactions at once. You can deposit a check, pay a bill and get the exact amount of cash back you want in one visit, all made easier with face-to-face interaction, and faster because the machine does all the cash and check calculations instantly.
The Bank of Edwardsville began testing its personal automated teller with employees internally in July before beginning a customer testing phase at its Main Office in Edwardsville in September. In both cases, employees and customers alike found the machine easy and convenient to use.
“The reaction has been very positive across the board. Both our employees and customers adapted to the new technology quite easily,” said Rob Schwartz, senior vice president of retail banking.
The personal automated teller is available now at the Cougar Center, and the bank has plans for more of the machines in the future at different locations.
