News

Video teller machines enable FI's shift to drive-through model

August 30, 2016

Safe Federal Credit Union has become the first South Carolina-based financial institution to deploy personal teller machines, according to a press release. The drive-up machines from NCR Corp. allow members interact with a live teller via video screen and audio connection.

"We like to think of it as Skype-like banking from the convenience of your car," said Toby Hayes, vice president of marketing at Safe.

The machines are located at the newly completed Safe FCU branch in Columbia. The PTMs connect members using the new branch with live tellers in Sumter, where the credit union is headquartered.

During branch hours, the PTMs allow Safe members to conduct almost any transaction typically handled at a traditional drive-up teller window. After hours, the machines revert to standard ATM functionality.

Hayes said that Safe plans to replicate its new drive-through model as the CU shifts from its current practice of locating branches in shopping centers.

"We have plans to relocate some other branches in the near future so that we can offer PTM drive-through lanes and other features that make banking with us even easier for our members," Hayes said.