Pub. 2 2014 Issue 2

www.uba.org 24 T he ability to offer instant card issuance at branches once in- volved having to print embossed cards on-site, which meant expensive printing processes. But industry rule changes that allow for flat cards, along with declining prices of printers, have made instant issuance a top consideration for financial institu- tions. The need to examine instant issuance comes at a time when financial institutions have before them an array of technology that is helping transform the branch, allowing them to focus more resources on the account holder relationship. But getting itright is not a given. Ultimately, the new technology must offer a better payoff. Realistically, financial institutions don’t have much choice when it comes to evaluating new technology at the branch. Given the rap- id decline of in-branch transactions, they need to re-evaluate the role of personnel in the branch and look for new ways to engage the account holder. As a result, many financial institutions are giving a closer look at new technologies to change how branches operate. For example, cash recyclers, though around for years, have had limited penetration in the market due to their cost. But now insti- tutions are finding them hard to resist due to how much time they save personnel. Should You Offer I Issuance? Six Que Instant issuance of credit and deb costly for most financial institutio