SAN FRANCISCO — Wells Fargo & Company (NYSE: WFC) has migrated its entire network of more than 6,200 ATMs to a Web-enabled platform, giving customers what it says is one of the most technologically advanced ATM systems in the industry.
Wells Fargo’s webATM machines feature six language options, customizable fast-cash amounts and receipt preferences and access to 22 financial accounts. In addition, all ATM locations have at least one machine offering voice instructions for the visually impaired in both English and Spanish.
The bank began deploying the webATM machines, which are based on a Microsoft Windows platform, in May 2000. The Windows-based infrastructure allows Wells Fargo to update and add new services to its network remotely, making it easier to add new features such as the ability to accept envelope-free deposits.
Wells Fargo has also installed more than 3,000 online stations in nearly all of its traditional and in-store community banking stores. It began installing them in 2001 to introduce customers to the services of wellsfargo.com.
Team members can use the terminals to help customers activate online accounts and bill pay, check balances, order a copy of a check and check their latest bill pay, debit card and credit card spending by budget category using a feature called My Spending Report.
According to the company, webATM machines and online stations are part of its strategy to integrate all channels – stores, phone, ATM and Internet – so customers can access financial services through all of them.
“Very few of our customers are single-channel users,” said Jonathan Velline, head of Wells Fargo’s ATM Banking. “More than 51 percent of our checking accounts are accessed online and our customers are conducting as many transactions at our ATMs as they do with our tellers. We’ve completely integrated our webATM machines with all our other channels, so customers can access information and conduct transactions in whatever channel that best suits their changing needs and preferences.”
