Safe use of ATMs amid COVID-19 concerns
Credit unions can leverage new technology proactively to disinfect and limit physical contact with machines.
As credit union branches closed in response to the COVID-19 health crisis in March and April, members’ primary interaction with credit unions was occurring either via the drive-thru or the ATM.
“People felt safe using an ATM because there was no physical contact with a teller and they were able to maintain social distancing,” says Terry Pierce, director of ATM product management at CUES Supplier member CO-OP Financial Services, Rancho Cucamonga, California.
Pierce notes that consumers still expressed concerns about interacting with the ATM screen and PIN pad. To alleviate those fears, CO-OP recommends that financial institutions take a proactive approach to disinfecting the surfaces of their ATMs. “They can either undertake this task with their own staff members or outsource it to a third-party vendors,” she says.
Consumers, meanwhile, can do their part by following CDC guidelines—use disinfect wipes when interacting with the machine, avoid touching your face and wash your hands when you return home. “There’s an onus and responsibility on both parties, the consumer and the provider, to ensure that ATMs can be used safely,” Pierce says.
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