For years, self-service banking was limited to withdrawing a few twenties at an ATM. In recent years, though, technology like First Alliance’s Advisor Supported Kiosks has greatly expanded what self-service banking can do, and the COVID-19 pandemic has persuaded people to give self-service banking a try. For better or for worse, self-service banking has become the main way we interact with our financial institutions.
Actually, there’s not a lot of “for worse” about self-service banking. Almost everyone who has tried self-service banking has discovered it has some advantages that make banking not only easier, but also more enjoyable.
Almost everyone has needed to run to their bank or credit union during their lunch break, only to discover that everyone else had the same idea. As a result, there’s at least twenty people ahead of you, and you have to decide between making your loan payment on time or actually getting to eat lunch before you have to be back at work.
Let’s be honest—one of the most frustrating parts about banking is that you usually have to get it done during normal business hours, which is when most people also have to work.
Self-service banking gets rid of that hassle. At First Alliance Credit Union, for instance, you can use our Advisor Supported Kiosks at any time of day, so you rarely need to worry about getting to one of our branches before they close. It’s also worth pointing out that if you visit our Commerce Drive branch you can also get some coffee and a sandwich courtesy of Moka and Great Harvest for even greater convenience.
Self-service banking puts you in direct control of your finances, from cashing a check to transferring money between your accounts. This makes most people feel like they’re controlling their finances instead of being controlled by them, which can be very empowering.
Self-service banking is here to stay, and it's not hard to see why. It's efficient, convenient and it empowers you by giving you control over your finances.
If you'd like to see what self-service banking can do you for you, all you have to do is become a member of First Alliance Credit Union and use our kiosks at our branches in Rochester, Byron and Stewartville.