Forcht Bank’s Corbin branches are the latest among the bank’s 26 locations to implement the on demand banking system.
New Interactive Teller Machines have been installed at the drive thru at each location.
While otherwise functioning as a traditional ATM machine, between the hours of 7 a.m. and 7 p.m. Monday through Saturday, customers may speak directly with a teller.
“It makes it more convenient and you are still talking with an actual person,” said Jonathan Payne, Director of Sales and Service at Forcht Bank, noting that the ITM’s are staffed at a central office in Lexington.
The ITM’s offer the ability to make deposits and withdraws. Unlike traditional ATM’s that could only dispense $20 and $50 bills, Payne explained that the ITM’s can dispense almost any amount requested, and can even give coins.
The machine is stocked with $1, $5, $20, and $100 bills along with pennies, nickels and quarters.
Between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m. it functions like walking into the bank or going through the old drive thru in that a customer does not need a card to get cash from their account.
“If you have forgotten your wallet, the teller can confirm your identification using the security questions and identifying information that you have on file,” said Corey Chesnut, Market President of Forcht Bank.
Updated security cameras cover more of the area near the machines and all sessions are recorded.
Chesnut emphasized that the ITM’s are not a replacement for the tellers at the various branches, but to provide better service to customers.
“We have not replaced a single person,” Chesnut said. “The people you are used to seeing at your local branch are all still there.”
Bank employees will be stationed near the ITM’s in the next several weeks to assist customers in learning to use them.
“We are going to be out here for as long as it takes for our customers to be comfortable,” Chesnut said.
For those who prefer to deal with the familiar faces, they may walk inside.
Lobby hours have been expanded to 9 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. Monday through Thursday and 9 a.m. through 5 p.m. on Friday.
The former night drop is now marked as the “express lane.”
Customers may make the traditional deposit drops.
Instead of the old system where all of the night deposits are completed upon being collected when the bank opens in the morning, bank employees will check and complete any drops three times per day.
A pull up express deposit service is also available where customers may be met by a bank employee, who will complete the deposit.
Chesnut said the ITM’s have been at the Barbourville location for about one year and has been well received by customers.
“We did 5,700 transactions through the ITM last month in Barbourville alone,” Chesnut said adding that at peak times it was common to see 15 cars waiting in the drive through lanes.
“Now, you will see four or five at the most,” he said explaining that the additional hours means customers aren’t pressed to get to the bank.
Chesnut said bank customers and other members of the community are invited to the main branch at 10:30 a.m. Friday for a ribbon cutting celebrating the new system. It will be followed by a cookout from 11 a.m. until 1 p.m.
The ITM’s will be installed at the Williamsburg location next.
It is scheduled to be operational in July.