Nationwide building society has put Barry at the forefront of a High Street tech revolution with the introduction of its Nationwide Now video-link service to its premises on Holton Road, Barry.
Nationwide Now allows customers to meet with the company’s mortgage advisors through a high definition video link in-branch, providing extra capacity additional to the branch’s physical advisors and making bookings more flexible.
Using a second monitor, customers can view the screen of the advisor while he completes their mortgage application and sign documents using an electronic pad. The advisor can also send and receive physical documents remotely using Nationwide Now’s printing and scanning elements.
At a visit to Barry’s Nationwide branch on Holton Road to see the facility in action, Vale MP Alun Cairns learned that the only difference between a physical and remote advisor is their ability to make tea for the customer. Remote nationwide advisors serving Barry from Bournemouth have however, been able to surmount this obstacle by using their instant messenger system to instruct in-branch colleagues to provide tea for clients.
As banks and other high street fixtures across the service sector are closing branches due to internet banking and other services, the Vale MP claims that this sort of new technology has the potential to have the opposite impact on local branches.
Mr Cairns said, “At a time when many are worried about the negative impact of new technology on high street shops and banks, it is refreshing and heartening to see new technology in use to improve and secure local branches.
“Having previously worked in local bank branches, I can understand the huge advantage for customers of having the booking flexibility that Nationwide Now’s pooled advisors can bring in addition to the in-branch staff.
“I am proud that Barry is at the cutting edge of a project that could boost and secure high street services into the future.”
Leanne Lingham-Giraud, Manager of Nationwide’s Barry branch, said: “We were honoured to welcome Alun to our branch in Barry last week. With ninety per cent of Barry branch’s flex account sales having been carried out by Nationwide Now this financial year, this was a great opportunity for us to showcase the services we’re able to offer. With Nationwide Now, customers can book appointments at very short notice with mortgage consultations and financial consultants, increasing the level of service available.”