NORTH CANTON, Ohio — According to a news release, on Nov. 9 Suncoast Schools Federal Credit Union became the first financial institution to deploy Diebold's full deposit automation solution when it launched an extended pilot on Diebold's advanced-function Opteva ATMs.

The seventh-largest credit union in the United States, Suncoast launched the first phase of its deposit automation pilot in October 2004 when it became the first financial institution to go live with Diebold's ImageWay ATM solution for check imaging. The first phase of the pilot included Diebold Opteva ATMs positioned in the employee lounge on Suncoast's main campus in Tampa, Fla. The extended pilot will introduce Suncoast members to the technology.

Wanda Chambers, vice president of document services for Suncoast, said the technology was well received by employees.

"Our employees have really embraced this technology," Chambers said. "The response has been very positive and we've seen wonderful volume in the employee environment."

The extended pilot will also include extended features. In addition to Diebold's ImageWay ATM solution, Suncoast will also take advantage of the balance of Diebold's deposit automation offering. Diebold's deposit automation includes four components: Diebold's Intelligent Depository Module; Bulk Note Acceptor; the ImageWay ATM agent, Xpedited by Alogent; and the ImageWay server. Diebold's comprehensive solution allows for reliable transactions, faster acknowledgement of deposited funds, increased check processing speed and reduced costs and risk of fraud.

Maria Garcia, senior vice president of automated services for Suncoast, said Diebold's deposit automation solution is "a better way" for the credit union and its members.

"The deposit automation project stems from the need to find a better way to process the large number of deposits we take in daily through our full-service ATMs," Garcia said. "We want our members to benefit from more efficient methods of delivering services. If we can cut costs by eliminating time-consuming, manual processes — such as those required by the traditional methods of accepting deposits at the ATM — then we are able to return the savings to our members via lower interest on loans and higher deposit rates."

Suncoast members who use ATMs in the pilot will have the opportunity to deposit checks without the use of an envelope or deposit slip. Members will receive confirmation of their deposits, including an image of the check printed on the receipt. Diebold's deposit automation solutions also enable the deposit of stacks of cash, up to 100 notes, without the use of an envelope. And because Diebold's deposit automation solution provides verification of deposits, members may have access to their deposited funds more quickly than ever before.

Chambers said deposit automation will enable Suncoast members to experience a faster, more convenient deposit process, which provides an incentive to complete these types of transactions at the ATM.

"Honestly, how nice is it to not have to complete an envelope or deposit slip?" Chambers said. "This can save the member some time on the front end of the process. And having the ability to provide our members with faster access to deposited funds can only be a positive."