News

Florida FCU seeks to reinvent the drive-up ATM experience

February 19, 2014

Bye-bye pneumatic tubes. Tampa, Fla.-based Grow Financial is transforming its members' drive-up banking experience at more than one-third of its branches with the installation of ATMs that feature video teller technology.

Grow Financial, a $2 billion FCU serving Florida and South Carolina, launched its pilot of Aptra Interactive Teller units from NCR Corp. in October 2013, starting with just a few selected locations. Following a successful test run, the FCU is now moving forward with installations at eight of its 22 branches.

The NCR units allow a teller to control the ATM from a remote service center, facilitating up to 95 percent of day-to-day transactions typically carried out at a teller window inside the branch.  A member doesn't even have to use an ATM card — access is enabled with a quick scan of a driver's license.

"With Interactive Teller, we're putting personal service back in our drive through lanes," said Bob Fisher, CEO of Grow Financial. "We're replacing decades-old technology with something new — yet familiar — to our members."

Because service is centralized, Grow Financial can easily extend the convenience of after-hours teller service to its members. 

Additionally, the new technology will allow Grow Financial to experiment with smaller footprint branches. Brian Bailey, VP of marketing and strategy at NCR Financial Services, said that Aptra Interactive Teller will allow Grow Financial to take a progressive approach with its retail network strategy.

"Financial institutions have the opportunity to transform their business, creating amazing experiences for their customers and members, increasing revenue and decreasing costs," he said.