Indonesian banks have launched a novel channel that allows customers to withdraw cash through drive-through automated teller machines (ATMs). However, Jeffrey Bahar, Deputy Chief Executive Officer of Spire Research and Consulting, sounded a cautionary note on the risks and limitations of the new platform.
Drive-through ATMs have become more common in countries across the Asia Pacific, such as China (through Citibank), Australia (through Bendigo Bank and NAB) and particularly Indonesia. Bank Negara Indonesia (BNI) first launched its drive-through ATM service in 2004, and is now seeing an average usage rate of approximately 7,600 transactions per month in each of its 29 drive-through destinations. BNI plans to expand this service with an additional 15 new drive-through ATMs for motorcycles in 2014.
However, Bahar commented that security concerns – especially issues pertaining to magnetic ATM card cloning and robbery – would deter customers from transacting at drive-through ATMs. Customers would still prefer to park their vehicles and walk into an ATM kiosk, where they would feel safer in a confined space with CCTV, though the drive-through ATMs come with accompanying security guards 24/7.
Bahar further commented that the base of drive-through ATMs may not grow as fast as that for conventional ATMs. Other services such as cash deposit machines and ‘mini’ ATMs will continue to outgrow the total number of drive-through ATMs.
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