IBM has introduced a front office kiosk for branches that enables customers to interact with a virtual bank teller.
The virtual bank teller appears on a screen and can help customers to fill out and sign forms and provide support and provide specialised advice.
The system, which was developed by the IBM Bari research laboratory in Italy, is designed to work across a bank's branch network from a central site. The kiosks can support branch staff, especially at peak hours, or even replace tellers, says the vendor.
Maurizio Brun, director, financial services sector, IBM Italy, says: "With increasing global competition, banks are under increasing pressure not only to innovate, but also to improve and personalise customer experience and to optimise staff deployment."
The virtual tellers will reduce queues and speed up straight-forward self service tasks such as deposit slips and cheques, whilst freeing up staff to deal with more complex issues, says IBM.
In addition, the kiosk provides a flexible new CRM channel, allowing banks to upgrade their branch network, roll out new products and integrate new services in a simple and consistent manner across the entire estate.