Bank of America announces plans to install more than 7,000
Talking ATMs nationwide by 2005 Initiative demonstrates continued leadership;
applauded by the Vision Impaired Community
October 4, 2001
For immediate release
CHARLOTTE: Bank of America today reconfirmed its commitment to the visually
impaired community by announcing plans to install more than 7,000 Talking ATMs
coast to coast. With a total of more than 3,000 talking ATMs planned by the end
of 2002, the rollout is expected to be complete by the end of 2005. The bank
currently has 500 Talking ATMs installed in Florida and California. The
aggressive plan reinforces Bank of America's objective of continuing to lead the
industry in pioneering Talking ATMs nationwide.
Furthering its long-standing commitment to the Talking ATM deployment effort,
Bank of America is implementing technological innovations not found in earlier
generations of machines. These features, which will make Bank of America Talking
ATMs among the most advanced in the industry, include efforts in volume control,
spoken balance and voice synthesis.
"Bank of America continues to take a leadership role in the development
and installation of Talking ATMs and we congratulate them on today's
announcement," said Christopher Gray, national president of the American
Council of the Blind. "This unparalleled action solidifies and magnifies
Bank of America's reputation in serving the blind community."
Talking ATMs are part of a broader initiative at Bank of America to make
banking work in ways it has never before. Accessible banking services for
customers with vision impairments include account statements available in
Braille and large print and raised line checks. The bank is also taking further
steps to ensure that its Web site and online banking services are W3-C
compliant, making them accessible to visually impaired persons whose personal
computers use screen readers to audibly read text on a computer screen.
"Bank of America continues to set the standard in the industry with
innovative programs that aim to better serve our customers who are visually
impaired," said Bill Raymond, manager, ATM Channel Strategies and
Development at Bank of America. "Talking ATMs along with compliant web
pages, specialized statements and other initiatives further demonstrate our
commitment to serving our customers and how we are embracing ingenuity to make
their lives easier."
Talking ATMs provide audible instructions to persons who cannot view
information on an ATM screen. These machines make it easier for vision-impaired
users to withdraw cash, deposit money and perform other ATM transactions. The
ATMs have audio jacks that deliver spoken instructions through standard headsets
to protect the security of users who are blind or have low-vision.
Those wishing to obtain additional information about Talking ATMs can call
1.800.299.BANK. California customers can contact Bank of America at
1.800.ENABLEU for assistance. To locate a Bank of America talking ATM visit www.bankofamerica.com
.
About Bank of America
One of the world's leading financial services companies, Bank of America is
committed to making banking work for customers like it never has before. Through
innovative technologies and the ingenuity of its people, Bank of America
provides individuals, small businesses and commercial, corporate and
institutional clients across the United States and around the world new and
better ways to manage their financial lives. The company enables customers to do
their banking and investing whenever, wherever and however they choose through
the nation's largest financial services network, including approximately 4,400
domestic offices and 13,000 ATMs, as well as 38 international offices serving
clients in 190 countries, and an Internet Web site that provides online access
for more than 3 million customers, more than any other bank.
Bank of America stock (ticker: BAC) is listed on the New York, Pacific and
London stock exchanges. The company's Web site is www.bankofamerica.com
.
News, speeches and other corporate information may be found at: www.bankofamerica.com/newsroom
About the American Council of the Blind
The American Council of the Blind (ACB) is a national membership organization
of people who are blind and visually impaired. ACB has 51 state and regional
affiliates and 20 national special interest and professional affiliates across
the United States. ACB advocates for the well being of blind persons in areas
including accessible ATMs, pedestrian safety, quality work skills training,
accessible computer environments and more. ACB can be reached at WWW.ACB.org
.
Reporters May Contact:
For Bank of America:
Brad Russell
Bank of America
704.388.6806
brad.russell@bankofamerica.com
For the Blindness Community:
Lainey Feingold
1.510.548.5062
lfeingold@california.net
Linda Dardarian
Saperstein, Goldstein, Demchak & Baller
1.510.763.9800
ldar@sgdblaw.com
Lainey Feingold
Law Office of Elaine B. Feingold
1524 Scenic Avenue
Berkeley, CA 94708
(510) 548-5062
lfeingold@california.net
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