STRATEGIC PARTNERS
October 28, 2002
CHARLOTTE, N.C. -- Bank of America says it has installed more than 300 bilingual audio-enabled ATMs in Florida, as part of its previously announced plan to install more than 7,000 "talking" ATMs coast-to-coast by the end of 2005.
BofA becomes the second major financial institution to add Spanish to its audio-enabled ATMs. Washington Mutual introduced bilingual machines in August. (See related story Washington Mutual adds Spanish to talking ATMs)
At last week's ATM & Debit Forum sponsored by Thomson Media, Wayne Malone, Citibank's vice president of Distribution Management, announced that his company also intends to add Spanish to its audio-enabled ATMs next year.
Bank of America currently has more than 1,100 talking ATMs in Florida and California. By the end of 2002, the company plans to increase that number to more than 3,100 talking ATMs nationwide. In 2003, the BofA intends to roll out bilingual talking ATMs in markets across the franchise.
"Bank of America is committed to making banking accessible to all of its customers," said Annette Kellermann, Accessible Banking Program Manager for Bank of America, in a news release. "The rollout of these bilingual ATMs not only makes it easier for customers who are blind or visually impaired to perform financial transactions but also expands the banking capabilities of our Spanish-speaking customers."
According to the release, the bilingual machines are helping the company serve its Hispanic customers more effectively, which is a strategic business priority for the bank. Earlier this year, BofA introduced SafeSend, an international ATM remittance product, and Total Security Protection, which it says gives customers greater defense against theft, loss or unauthorized use. It also launched a Spanish Web site at www.bankofamerica.com/espanol/.
The new Florida ATMs are part of BofA's advanced technology ATM platform, which is based upon a Windows NT operating system. According to BofA, in addition to bilingual voice capabilities, the ATMs enable customers to set customized preferences, find other ATM locations and will soon give them the ability to perform services like the reordering of checks.
