As market demand for Interactive Teller Machines (ITMs) continues to rise, many financial institutions are evaluating the role of these devices in their short- and long-term strategic plans. Key features such as remote video teller assistance and broader self-service transaction sets through core integration make ITMs an attractive solution to both FIs and their clients. However, many FIs aren’t yet ready to roll out a large-scale ITM implementation strategy. If your FI is in that category, you may be wondering what you can do now to position your organization for ITM success down the road. A number of manufacturers in the market are now offering ATMs that can also be ITM-ready at any point, allowing FIs to future proof their ATM fleet. But is this investment right for your FI? Let’s examine some of the reasons why this might be the right approach for you.

Many financial institutions today are running their ATM network at a loss. The reality for most FIs is that ATMs have become a minimum cost of entry – or a “have to have” – for providing access to cash for customers and members. But operating an ATM fleet that both meets client demand without negatively impacting your bottom line can be a challenge.

With the rise of Interactive Teller Machine (ITM) technology, more and more financial institutions are evaluating the role of ITMs in their short-and long-term strategic plans. As I mentioned in my post on Branch Transformation, adopting a new technology because it’s the latest and greatest thing on the market, doesn’t necessarily translate into success. So how do you know if adopting ITM technology is the right move for your organization? If it is, how do you determine which ITM solution will best meet your clients’ needs while producing the right ROI? If your organization is considering an investment in a next-gen self-service solution, here is a list of pros and cons of implementing ITMs that I hope will help fuel your discussion:

Since first hitting the market more than five years ago, Interactive Teller Machines (ITMs) have grown in popularity among financial institutions nationwide. Today, an increasing number of FIs are evaluating the role of ITMs in their short- and long-term strategic plans. Many are even wondering if ITMs will eventually make ATMs obsolete, and if now is the time to start investing in this technology. If that describes you, it may be helpful to first understand what’s behind the demand for ITMs. We’ve identified four primary drivers for ITM market demand and how they could impact an FI’s bottom line when implemented the right way.

When it comes to branch transformation, putting all the pieces together can be a lot like working a jigsaw puzzle. First, you start with a finished picture in mind. This is your organization’s strategic vision for branch transformation. It should answer the questions, “Why are we doing this, and what does success look like?” Secondly, you have a collection of pieces – each uniquely designed, yet equally important – that must fit together to complete the overall picture. These pieces include your customers’ needs, your talent pool and your physical assets (branch locations, hardware, and software).