The future of banking? NAB unveils new concept store
Australian banking is entering a new era with smart ATMs that can process dozens of notes and cheques at a time.
NAB officially launched its new high-tech concept branches today, giving Seven News a sneak peek at its store in Docklands, which comes complete with a kids area and a unique scent to relax customers.
The new branch also features intelligent deposit machines which accept and read up to 50 notes at a time, and can count coins quicker than any human being.
Or, if you are depositing business checks, it can take 30 of those in one go too.
NAB have rejected suggestions these machines will reduce the number of staff required, but instead say it will allow customers to choose between a quick drop off, or some personal help.
NAB's Peter Holmes said: "This will be our first store with our intelligent deposit machine, and pending a successful trial here at Docklands, we'll be looking to roll that out across the network."
The most unusual upgrade is the unique NAB scent - a perfume pumped through the store to relax customers.
"It's certainly not making it smell like $50 notes," Peter added. "It's about getting customers to feel comfortable in the store."
There is also free WiFi with computers and iPads on hand to help rope customers in, and somewhere for the kids to hang out.
TV screens showing everything from the weather to free local community notices will help customers to pass the time while they run their banking errands.
Money also can't be accessed without a bank card, so security screens aren't necessary.
It is the first of five branches like this to be rolled out across Australia this year, with two more planned for Melbourne, one in Sydney, and another in Brisbane.
Other big banks are headed in the same direction, with ANZ already opening a new concept store.
Intelligent ATMs will be rolled out across their branches at the end of the year.
ANZ's Mark Hand told 7News: "People are realising that customer behaviors are changing, and so all banks need to respond and change the way they deal with customers."
