While none of us have a crystal ball, Windows 10 has really pushed many financial institutions to think about the ATM channel, the broader self-service channel, and how that plays with customer experience. With huge investments being made in digital platforms, how does the ATM and self-service channel fit into the equation?

The ATM channel is one of the most important channels of self-service for financial institutions. It allows immediate access to cash and the ability to make deposits when the physical branch is closed. For many community banks, it’s a vital service to compete in local markets against the bigger players.

ATMs, or Automated Teller Machines, have been around a long time now in the banking space. They have provided access to cash for clients for decades, especially when the branch was closed. As technology has advanced, more and more Financial Institutions are not only dispensing cash, but accepting deposits at ATMs. In this article we’ll address what ATMs cost and what factors drive those costs.

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: