On Monday, September 30, Union Bank unveiled a new level of banking technology at their University Branch. Two Interactive Teller Machines (ITM) are the first of what is expected to become the norm for customers at Union Bank. Starting Monday, Lanes One and Four are still open in the drive-thru while Lanes Two and Three will be closed. There will also be no access to the lobby with these changes. Customers will however still be able to interact with tellers who are located inside the building, the same friendly faces that they are already familiar with.
While ITMs are new in Monticello, the technology is not new in the banking industry. In bigger cities across the U.S., many banks have gone to ITMs for all day-to-day banking procedures.
Union Bank, as is their custom, made the call to be the first bank in Monticello to bring this technology to their customers.
“Union Bank has always been prideful on being the local market leader when it comes to innovation and technology,” Dave Dickson, President of Union Bank said. “Interactive Teller Machines (ITM) are the latest example of our leadership in introducing new technologies to our customers. Union Bank was the first local bank to offer ATMs, Online Banking with Bill Pay, and Mobile Banking.”
Dickson noted one perk that will come with the new ITMs, and that is extended hours. The new hours at the University Branch are 7 a.m. until 7 p.m. during the week, and 8 a.m. until 1 p.m. on Saturdays.
“To me, the best part of this is that it will allow us to better serve our customers with expanded operating hours,” Dickson added.
Dickson added that for the first three weeks, any customers who use the ITMs will be given incentives or prizes.
“We are very excited to bring this technology to our market,” Dickson said. “Union Bank will be offering incentives to customers who use the ITMs over the next few weeks.”
For those interested in seeing what the ITMs are all about, Union Bank employees will be posted up in the drive-thru to help customers navigate the interface and technology. Once the customer is engaged, a teller with whom they are familiar will assist them in their transactions. Customers can perform all of the same banking functions that they have been able to, from cashing checks to making deposits, all services are still available.
Dickson added that it is the goal of Union Bank to switch to ITMs at all locations, including Warren, which would also bring weekend banking back to the Bradley County location. There is no concrete date for the full transition, but Union Bank customers should be prepared to see more ITMs in the future.
It sounds scary to not be face to face with your banker, but after seeing how the operation works, customers will still receive the same quality and level of service that they are used to. Also, “robots” have not taken anyone’s job. The same employees who have been in the branch are still the ones who are handling all of the banking business for the branch.
