When First National Bank of Pennsylvania expands its Central Pennsylvania footprint in mid-February, it will be bringing some new technology with it.
The bank this week announced a slew of technology upgrades that it plans to undertake in the coming year, some as soon as next month.
The upgrades include new Intelligent Teller Machines (or ITMs) at 16 locations in Central Pennsylvania. Two will be at a new branch in State College, with the other 14 appearing throughout Metro Bank’s footprint, according to Meghan Cole, First National spokeswoman.
On Feb. 12, F.N.B. Corp. is expected to close on its $474 million deal to acquire Swatara Township-based Metro Bancorp Inc., holding company of Metro Bank.
The ITMs will be equipped with video-chat capabilities to assist customers with many of their retail banking transactions. The video tellers will be available “outside of traditional branch hours,” according to a news release. First National spokeswoman Jennifer Reel said the hours will vary based on transaction volume, but it will be nights and weekends.
Metro built its retail operation on being open during nontraditional banking hours such as late nights, early mornings and weekends. When F.N.B. Corp., the parent company of First National, announced its acquisition of Metro Bancorp Inc. in August, company officials said shorter hours at the Metro branches would be one way F.N.B. could cut Metro’s expenses by its target of 40 percent.
Reel said First National will start to phase out Sunday hours at Metro locations in April. Each of Metro’s 32 branches in Berks, Cumberland, Dauphin, Lancaster, Lebanon and York counties has Sunday hours.
The ITMs also will have remote deposit and check-cashing capabilities “down to the penny,” according to a news release. The ITMs will be available this spring.
In addition to the ITMs, Cole said drive-up smart ATMs will be installed at each Metro branch.
First National also will unveil its digital, in-branch kiosks in Central Pennsylvania following the closing of its deal to acquire Metro. The kiosks will allow customers to virtually tour the options the bank offers, including what checking account is best for them.
The kiosks will be available in Central Pennsylvania in February, with plans to expand them throughout First National’s footprint.
The bank also has updated its mobile application and will introduce an app for its commercial banking clients in the spring. There will be more mobile app upgrades concerning controls and security — including turning a debit card on and off and usage based on geographic location — later in the year.
