Terrible new ATM machine at BoA

[disneysteve]

I went to the ATM today to deposit my paycheck only to discover that the branch had installed a new machine at the drive-through. To make a deposit, you no longer put your checks and cash in an envelope. Instead, there is a slot to insert checks and a slot to insert cash and the machine scans the items as you insert them. The check image appears on the screen for you to confirm it.

All very high tech and impressive. The problem I immediately realized was that frequently, I go to the ATM not with one check like today, but with an envelope holding 6 or 8 or 10 checks. So now what used to be a quick, one-step, 30-second transaction is going to become a multiple step process taking a few minutes since each check gets inserted, scanned and confirmed before the next one gets inserted, scanned and confirmed.

I like the convenience of the drive-up ATM but with this new machine, it won't be so convenient anymore. I think I need to stop in the branch and express that to the manager.

ETA: They are called "deposit image" ATMs. I forgot to mention that the receipt actually has an image of the checks you deposit. Personally, I think that's a waste as the receipt was 3-4 times as long as it used to be and that was just for one check. For multiple checks, you'd end up with a big roll of paper.

Checks do have to be deposited one at a time, but cash can be deposited in a stack of up to 40 bills at once.

[project15]

I see your point for multiple checks, but for what I'm assuming is the average depositor - they only deposit one check and/or a few bills and it should be quicker in general. So instead of me having to wait behind while they fill out the envelope, I just have to wait for them to figure out how to work the new machine

Is the scanning of the check quick? I'm imagining sticking the check in and having to wait like 5-10 seconds for it to scan and process the image and show it to you.

Edit: I have chase, but it's only a matter of time until this tech transfers over to other major banks.

[disneysteve]

I see your point for multiple checks, but for what I'm assuming is the average depositor - they only deposit one check and/or a few bills and it should be quicker in general. So instead of me having to wait behind while they fill out the envelope, I just have to wait for them to figure out how to work the new machine

Is the scanning of the check quick? I'm imagining sticking the check in and having to wait like 5-10 seconds for it to scan and process the image and show it to you.

I always prepared my deposit at home and just went to the ATM with the envelope all ready to go.

The scanning was quick, just a couple of seconds. About the same amount of time it took to accept an envelope before. That's why I figured it will slow down the process. Rather than having to take in one item, it now has to take in multiple items per transaction.

[cptacek]

I bet it doesn't take those huge checks like Happy Gilmore got when he won those golf tournaments. What is poor Happy going to do?

[project15]

I bet it doesn't take those huge checks like Happy Gilmore got when he won those golf tournaments. What is poor Happy going to do?

Haha

[Like2Plan]

disneysteve,
I wonder if your bank will allow you to scan your checks in from your home computer and save you a trip to the bank? (Some banks offer this service)

[disneysteve]

disneysteve,
I wonder if your bank will allow you to scan your checks in from your home computer and save you a trip to the bank? (Some banks offer this service)

I'd like that. That's probably the next step. Get people used to scanning them at the ATMs and transition them into doing it at home. I know one bank around here (Continental, I think) is advertising that their home scanning service is totally free now. Some banks charge you for the equipment or a monthly fee.

[Scanner]

I'm giving BoA the "axe" as soon as whomever opens up across the parking lot ( I can walk from my business and make deposits).

They are killing me with fees on my business line of credit.

The staff is all very nice, I really like them (a lot of them are "hot") but business is business.

[noppenbd]

USAA allows you to scan checks and deposit them online using a standard scanner if you have one. I think you need to open a USAA credit card (in case your deposit check bounces, I guess). No big deal there, their credit card is very competitive and highly rated.

[simpleyme]

;-) ...........................

[LuxLiving]

simpleyme - you're braver than I. Twould be afraid to mail off a bunch of checks.

Case in point - Just this month I received a nice big envelope from the U.S. postal service w/my birthday card from my Dad from 2005. The nice check that I received in that card? Uncashable now. What am I to do, call him up and say, hey Dad, how's about you reissue me a b.d. check from 2005???

Nah.

The card came w/a letter stating that it had been recovered from a bunch of stolen mail.

I'd just be afraid that my envelope full of checks would get lost and I'd have a dickens of a time getting them reissued.

[simpleyme]

;-)................

[atomicrc11]

I think these are great additions, as I only usually have a couple checks, but with this I have a record of submitting cash and how much. Before I would never put cash in an ATM machine. Now, however, I feel confident in putting in cash, as I have a record of what I put in.

[disneysteve]

UPDATE: DD and I stopped at a different BOA location today to make a deposit. I was hoping that they hadn't installed the new ATM yet but they had. I had told DD about it after the first visit and now she got to see what I was talking about. Plus, I had 5 checks to deposit today so the real flaw in the system was much more apparent and it was just as bad as I had suspected.

We inserted the first check. The scanner wasn't able to accurately read the amount, so it asks me to enter the amount of the check. That's great, except I've already inserted the check into the ATM and all you are showing me is a scan that the computer couldn't deciper. I enter what I think is the right amount. Then it shows an enlarged view of the check and asks if that is the correct amount. Once we see the enlarged view, I see that the amount I entered isn't correct so I need to re-enter it correctly. All of that to deposit one check. I had 4 more to do. Three of the four were read correctly by the scanner. One more had to be manually entered by me.

The whole transaction took several minutes and generated a receipt that is 13-3/4 inches long. A normal ATM transaction takes about 30 seconds and prints out a 4-inch receipt. And this is better why exactly? The little sign at the ATM says using the ATM has never been easier. I don't know what they're smoking but this sure as heck isn't easier.

From now on, I'm going to have to go back to using a teller to make my deposits. And I will definitely be speaking with the branch manager and letting her know why. If their goal is to increase teller transactions, this will surely do it, if it doesn't drive customers away all together. If I didn't have so many things tied into my account, auto pay, online banking, etc., I would seriously consider changing banks. Of course, if other banks adopt the same machines, it wouldn't make a difference.

[kork13]

The little sign at the ATM says using the ATM has never been easier. I don't know what they're smoking but this sure as heck isn't easier. ........ If their goal is to increase teller transactions, this will surely do it

I think it's just a good idea poorly applied. I think the idea is that if they can automate the processing (as opposed to having someone in a back room sort through all of the envelopes), it would save money.

Unfortunately, because BoA has already invested a presumably significant amount of money into the program (given that most branches already have them), they're likely to stick around as-is at least for a while... unless they are re-programmed to allow you to just type in the amount of each, then feed them into the scanner and not worry about you confirming what it looks like--that could be QC'd by an employee at the end of the day.

As somoene else previously mentioned, USAA allows us to scan our checks in from home. It's largely similar in format, but the ease of scanning/depositing them at home makes it well-worth scanning in both sides, re-scanning if the computer can't read it. It's a great service, and I hope more banks are able to offer that soon...