The Hindu Business Line : Citibank opens biometric ATMs

New trend in ATMs
Biometric ATMs have multiple language capabilities, voice-enabled navigation facility aimed at illiterate customers
Specifically targeted at its Citibank `Pragati' savings account holders

BIOMETRIC ATMS: Mr P. S. Jayakumar, Country Business Manager, Global Consumer Group, Citibank, and Ms. Mona Kachhwaha, Business Manager, Microfinance, at a function to inaugurate the biometric ATM with multi-language voice navigation features for microfinance customers in Mumbai on Friday. -- Paul Noronha

Mumbai , Dec. 1

Setting what is likely to be a trend in inclusive banking, Citibank has launched two biometric ATMs for micro-finance customers. Biometric ATMs authorise transactions by scanning customers' thumbprints instead of a PIN code.

While ICICI Bank has introduced biometric cards, PSU banks are on the verge of launching bio-metric ATMs.

Citibank plans to establish a network of 25 to 35 such ATMs within a year, specifically targeted at its Citibank `Pragati' savings account holders. Citibank `Pragati' is a no-frills savings account with nil minimum balance and is offered directly or through a micro-finance institution (MFI).

Mr P. S. Jayakumar, Country Business Manager, Global Consumer Group, Citibank, said the ATMs have been tailored to meet the needs of the under-banked, lower income segment. "Illiterate customers will be encouraged to use biometric ATMs. They can also have free access to the other Citibank ATMs with a PIN code," he said. Customers would not be charged for transactions on such ATMs, he added

The bank has so far installed two ATMs, one each in Mumbai and Hyderabad.

In the past two months, the Citibank `Pragati' has won 700 customers and hopes to log in 50,000 customers in the next 12 months, said Ms Mona Kachhwaha, Business Manager, Microfinance, Citibank.

Biometric ATMs have multiple language capabilities and have voice-enabled navigation facility aimed at illiterate customers.

The colour-coded buttons (yellow for deposit, green for withdrawal) guide customers through the transaction - balance enquiry, deposits and withdrawals.

Citibank has tied up with MFIs such as Basix in Hyderabad and Swadhaar Finaccess in Mumbai.

The ATMs are located at the offices of the MFIs or in areas where customers live or work.

Mr Jayakumar said Citibank was not looking for profits in the initial years. "For the scheme to sustain, it would have to grow in terms of scale," he said. The bank will eventually merge its no-frills accounts with the `Pragati' scheme, Mr Jayakumar said.

Currently Citibank has 60,000 customers in the micro-finance segment.

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