Apparently at least one “major Australian financial institution” is looking to test NCR’s fancy new video conferencing Automatic Teller Machine. Aside from the usual touchscreen options, customers can be directly connected with a teller so they can ask questions about their account, and even — wait for it — organise a home loan.
Maybe one day in the future when all the big banks have pulled out of suburbs they don’t make a profit on, we’ll be forced to use virtual tellers. But that’s what my phone or computer will be for. I’m not about to sit there with my paperwork spread out while people line up for a bus behind me.
Sorry, but I call gimmick on this one. And I normally love gimmicks. [Lifehacker]
Sam
Tuesday, August 16, 2011 at 2:11 PMAs I said over at Lifehacker, I can see a place for these ATM’s to exist – but it’s not out on the street. I think it really comes down to how banks implement them as to whether or not they proove sucessful.
Ideally though, doing stuff face to face should always be the service target.
Viddy
Tuesday, August 16, 2011 at 2:17 PMOMG. Standing behing the old lady who goes through her 4 seperate account cards is just painful enough.
Now, waiting for someone to organize a home load is preposterous. Plus, who’d want others to hear how much your spending on a loan as the crowd gathers behind you?!
Yet another way also for hackers to pretend their actually bank tellers now and ask you to ‘varify your PIN again’ *Keylogged* thanks for coming – expect your account to be cleared out within 5 seconds, ‘Have a nice day’.
Meh
Tuesday, August 16, 2011 at 2:20 PMIt’s bad enough having a queue of impatient people forming behind you in the time it takes to simply withdraw a couple of $20′s.
Can you imagine the aggravation you’d be on the end of standing there having a chat with some remote teller for 5-10 minutes?
And I’d rather not be discussing private financials like a home loan application in such a public place. Who comes up with these ideas?
Dave
Tuesday, August 16, 2011 at 2:22 PMThat could make for some very long lines at ATM’s
Dude
Tuesday, August 16, 2011 at 2:23 PMImagine Friday night once the boozers leave the pub.
Hey lets moon the ATM person.
bazuden
Tuesday, August 16, 2011 at 2:41 PMATM queues in Sydney are bad enough, without throwing loan applications in.
I work near the Westpac Place on Kent St. There’s 4 ATMs in a 30 metre radius around Westpac Place, but at lunch time its actually quicker to go into the branch to withdraw money.
EckyThump
Tuesday, August 16, 2011 at 3:17 PM1/ Privacy
2/ Security
3/ convenience
4/ call charges
If all these are met to my satisfaction, I have no problems with it. Somehow though, I don’t think they can meet them!! #]
Penmonicus
Tuesday, August 16, 2011 at 4:31 PMMaybe if they put them inside the bank, to replace people in the same way self-serve checkouts do.
That said, I only very, very rarely actually go into a branch.
Mutton
Tuesday, August 16, 2011 at 5:27 PMI already feel like going postal when someone requests a receipt at an ATM or begins fumbling in their handbag to find their purse / wallet to put their money in.
Get organised people! Or just get out of the frickin’ way….
Whilst ranting on the subject of stupid people and poor planning, I’d also like a ban on morons who take an eternity to go through airport security! I mean is it really that difficult to just put all your shit in your bag and take out a laptop BEFORE you get to the line? HTFU!!
Rant over….