PORTLAND, Maine -- Banknorth will install voice-activated ATMs at 400 locations in Vermont, Maine, New Hampshire, Massachusetts, Connecticut and upstate New York, according to an agreement announced by the bank's holding company, Banknorth Group, Inc. (NASDAQ: BKNG), and the National Federation of the Blind (NFB).
Banknorth plans to launch a pilot program to install "talking" ATMs in its Vermont locations later this year. That pilot will be followed by a five-year, $4.8 million rollout in which talking ATMs will be installed in all six states in which Banknorth operates.
"While we may not be as large as some of the banks in the nation that have announced programs of this scope," said Banknorth Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer. William J. Ryan, "we are just as committed to serving our entire customer base, including those who face significant challenges in fully participating in America's banking system."
Banknorth plans to install its first talking ATM in Burlington, Vt., at its main office. After installation and a period of monitoring that location, Banknorth will launch a staged program during which it will install voice-activated ATMs at 20 to 30 percent of its current locations each year for the next five years.
Banknorth expects to begin those installations by year-end, with the more heavily populated areas in each of the states in which it operates receiving priority. Most of Banknorth's ATM locations have a single ATM that will see installation of a voice-activated ATM. Where there is more than one ATM at a given location, Banknorth will install one voice-activated ATM.
According to Brenda Jeanne Patterson, president of the National Federation of the Blind of Vermont, NFB's Vermont chapter played a major role in developing the program with Banknorth and believes the partnership can serve as a model for all companies in assuring that blind and visually impaired persons have full accessibility.
Headquartered in Portland, Banknorth Group is a $21.1 billion financial services holding company. Its banking subsidiary, Banknorth, NA, in addition to Banknorth Vermont, operates banking divisions in Maine (Peoples Heritage Bank), New Hampshire (Bank of New Hampshire), Massachusetts (Banknorth Massachusetts), Connecticut (Banknorth Connecticut) and in upstate New York (Evergreen Bank).
