The bank has begun installing its Citibank Express machines in branches in Singapore, Malaysia and the Philippines with more Asian and global markets, as well as non-branch locations, to follow later this year.

The machines are equipped with an online banking connection, video-conferencing and biometric capabilities for customer identity authentication. A customer can start a transaction on a computer or mobile device and complete it on Citibank Express, and vice versa.



The new technology means that customers can do almost all of their banking without visiting a branch, including opening accounts and applying for loans, cards and cashier's cheques.

Expresses have split screens so that clients can see and speak with a bank worker on one screen while conducting business on the other. The machines also have near field communication capabilities as well as scanning and embossing functions to allow for future roll-outs of functions such as instant printing of cards.

Chris Kay, global head, ventures and incubation, Citi Ventures, says: "The ability to rapidly set up the machines and to add features as we develop them is a key characteristic of Citibank Express. We don't expect it to replace branches, but it will simplify our customers' lives, generate new value for Citi and help to transform the financial services industry."

Meanwhile, in the Czech Republic Citi is set to start issuing, automatically and free of charge, contactless payments stickers with a range of credit cards. Customers will be able to attach the stickers to objects such as mobile phones and tap them against point-of-sale terminals to carry out low-value payments.