Co-operative Bank launches talking ATMs
The Co-operative bank has followed in the footsteps of Barclays, by installing talking cash machines on the streets of the UK. The machines will be aimed at helping blind and partially sighted consumers operate the ATMs, by providing an automated service as well as clearer, high resolution screens.
400 of the units have initially been installed by The Co-operative, while a further 2000 are expected over the next 18-24 months.
The service will not be limited to Co-op customers, and the speech option can be enabled by plugging a pair of headphones into the ATM. Comments made by head of payments at the Co-operative Bank, David Fawell, explain the move: “We are committed to implementing talking and high contrast services on our cash machines.
“We have started to roll out and by the end of 2013 we will have 1000 of our ATMs enabled to talk”
The move has struck a chord with the Royal National Institute for Blind People (RNIB), which has issued its support for the scheme. The Co-operative has also received support from customers, with Rob Ellis from Colchester commenting: “I feel it is essential for banks to assist their blind or partially sighted customers. Conveniently there is one 400 yards from my house and it has made such a difference”.
Share this..
Related stories
Barclays Bank gamble pays off
John Varley, the chief executive of Barclays Bank, will today be a very relieved man with news the Financial Services Authority has cleared Barclays Bank to continue trading without the necessity to raise further capital. The move is a blow to Gordon Brown, who had been expected to push Barclays Bank directors for a significant government investment in exchange for a significant stake in the busin...
Read MoreCould we see UK banks moving overseas?
As the recently created Banking Commission looks to hit the ground running in the UK there is great concern that the idea of forcing UK banks to split themselves up between retail and investment operations could backfire. Already the likes of HSBC have stepped forward to say that while they are happy to be based within the UK they will, like so many other banks in the country, reconsider their pos...
Read MoreSantander ups fees on “123” current account
14/09/2015 Santander, one of the UK’s biggest banks, have announced that they are more than doubling the charges on it’s main current account, leaving customers out of pocket. The current costs of Santander’s main current account stands at £24 a year. In January, this will be increased to £60 a year. The bank will also be increasing the fees on its main credit card from £24 to £36...
Read MorePrivate equity giant applies for British banking licence
It has been revealed that US private equity giant Blackstone has applied for a UK banking licence and could become the latest in a long line of companies looking to take advantage of confusion and disappointment with the traditional UK banking arena. The company is one of the largest buyout operations in the world with experience in many areas of business and contacts aplenty. The rumour is tha...
Read MoreRoyal Bank of Scotland to be scaled down
This week will see plans unveiled for the substantial scaling down of the Royal Bank of Scotland banking operations. Over the next 3 to 5 years it is expected that 25% of the balance sheet will disappear as the group returns to basics for future stability. The banking operation will also see up to £300 billion of potentially toxic investments moved into its separate operation which will be wound...
Read More