Coming to a screen near you: a Bank of America banker

The Story

Bank of America is doubling the number of branches that will conduct business via video.

The Facts

– Customers can use the screens to talk to specialty bankers offering mortgages, small business loans or investment products.

– The bankers are stationed in call centers. One is located in Gateway Village on West Trade Street.

– The bankers sit in cubicles outfitted with sliding doors to make transactions private. They conduct business via webcam. Customers on the other end are using screens at branches.

– The bank plans to have 300 branches video-equipped, up from 180 currently. It will also add more of its video-equipped ATMs this year.

– Currently in the Charlotte-area, Mint Hill has the only video-equipped branch.

– BOFA started testing this technology about 3 years ago as fewer customers visit branches and the bank searched for ways to cut costs.

C5’s Take

Some experts warn about the security of such video systems (the bank says its system is private and secure). Already, many doctors offices – including Carolinas Healthcare System – use similar technology to conduct virtual doctor visits. In a world where saving money and time are top priorities, expect to see more of this trend.

This story was originally published March 24, 2015 at 9:12 AM with the headline "Coming to a screen near you: a Bank of America banker."