News

Wells Fargo audio ATMs now bilingual

February 26, 2003

SAN FRANCISCO -- Wells Fargo has added a Spanish language option to more than 2,700 of its ATMs that have audio capability.

Wells calls the machines, which can offer other added functionality in addition to audio, webATMs. The webATMs make up about 40 percent of the bank's network, according to a news release.

"More than four out of every 10 Hispanic immigrants don't have banking relationships, which means most of them have probably never used an ATM," said Jonathan Velline, senior vice president for ATM Banking, in the release. "We hope our Spanish language screens and talking webATM machines make the banking experience easier for them and encourage them to view a banking relationship as a way to enter the mainstream of the economy and perhaps
someday achieve the American dream of owning a home."

Through voice instruction, Talking webATM machines tell users who are blind or have difficulty reading information on an ATM screen how to perform all financial transactions including deposits, withdrawals, funds transfers, stamp purchases and more. Talking webATM machines also can direct customers who have an InterCuenta Express account to transfer or
deposit funds, automatically wiring money to a beneficiary in Mexico.

Working with the California Council of the Blind, Wells Fargo announced in June of 1999 that it would pilot 20 talking ATMs in California. After the success of the initial California effort, Wells Fargo began installing talking ATMs at locations throughout the country.

The bank now has 3,100 talking ATMs across 23 states.

In November 2001, Wells Fargo became the first U.S. financial institution to recognize the Matricula Consular as a valid form of identification for new account openings. With the Matricula Consular, no Social Security number is necessary to open an account.

Wells is the third bank to offer Spanish on audio enabled ATMs, following Washington Mutual in August and Bank of America in October. (See related stories Washington Mutual adds Spanish to talking ATMs and BofA's audio ATMs hablan Espanol)