Citizens Bank is setting up more than 450 “talking ATMs” in branches throughout
New England, more than half, the bank said, by the year’s end. There will be
at least one talking ATM per branch by the end of 2005, Citizens said; in Rhode
Island, 80 machines are to be installed.
The plan is part of a larger effort to improve services for blind and visually impaired customers, Citizens said. In addition to upgrading the ATMs, Citizens is improving other banking services for customers who are visually impaired, including enhancing the accessibility of its online banking pages and providing printed information in large print and Braille.
“Citizens is committed to providing all customers with the best service possible,” said Joseph J. MarcAurele, president and CEO of Citizens Bank of Rhode Island. “With features including the option to listen in Spanish or English, we look forward to providing visually impaired customers – including seniors – with machines that are both cutting-edge and easy to navigate.”
Citizens is not the first bank in Rhode Island to set up such ATMs; Fleet installed 17 here in 2001, and more than 1,400 in other states.
Ten Citizens branches in Rhode Island already have the new ATMs, including eight in Providence (downtown, Providence Place, College Hill and others), one in East Providence (Kent Heights) and one in Warwick (Stop & Shop Warwick Avenue).
Unlike many “talking” machines, the Citizens ATMs don’t use loudspeakers; instead, customers have to plug in headsets or headphones. The ATMs then give customers a series of audio prompts to guide them in conducting banking transactions electronically.
Citizens spokeswoman Kathy O’Donnell said the headset system was chosen over loudspeakers to protect customers’ privacy – otherwise people standing nearby could overhear account information.
Although nearly any type of portable headphones will plug into the talking ATMs, Citizens will provide free headsets. To order a pair, people may call Citizens’ toll-free PhoneBank at 1-800-922-9999.
