News

U.S. Bank installs 1st voice-guided ATMs in Minn.

March 6, 2002

MINNEAPOLIS -- U.S. Bank has installed Minnesota's first voice-guided ATMs in the new U.S. Bancorp Center in downtown Minneapolis. The two machines allow visually impaired persons to use ATMs by plugging in a headset and privately listening to voice prompts which guide them through the transaction.

For example, the first prompt states, "Welcome to our UBank ATM. Please insert your card, magnetic stripe (or the reverse side of the raised letters) down, for service." Once the card is inserted, the voice continues with, "Please enter your Personal Identification Number." Further instructions offer direction in how to cancel or restart the transaction, how to ask for more selections, and how to request a receipt.

U.S. Bank said it will install 14 additional voiced-guided ATMs this year in an effort to improve access for blind and visually impaired customers.

Other products and services to be implemented include large formatted checks with raised lines, which make it easier for visually impaired persons to write checks, and banking services accessible by phone and computer.