News

Japanese banks to refer some clients to ATMs

February 24, 2002

TOKYO -- Fuji Bank and Sanwa Bank each plan to begin screening individual customers visiting their branches, referring those with minor transactions to lower-cost services such as ATMs, according to the Nihon Keizai Shimbun.

The banks will begin instituting the changes in February at certain branches. Both banks will set up reception areas by branch entrances to screen customers. Clients with more complicated needs will be sent to financial planners or other service representatives.

At Fuji Bank, roughly 200 branches will adopt a computerized customer-screening system over the next two years. Customers will insert their cash cards or passbooks into a terminal at the entrance and then enter their reason for visiting. The terminal will access account data and refer the customer to an appropriate agent or to an ATM.

Sanwa Bank will have representatives at branch entrances to screen customers and refer them to the appropriate service. The system will kick off at 11 Sanwa branches, concentrated in Tokyo and Osaka.