Credit Suisse Launches 209 Talking ATMs in Switzerland

In July 2008, Credit Suisse launched talking ATMs for the visually impaired in all regions of Switzerland. A total of 209 ATMs with an audio connection are now available to customers throughout the country. This represents a further milestone for Credit Suisse in its long-term project to improve the accessibility of its products and services for people with disabilities.

As part of its Accessibility Initiative, in March 2007 Credit Suisse began to install ATMs with an audio connection for the visually impaired at highly frequented and suitable locations. In July 2008, Credit Suisse was finally able to put these talking ATMs into operation - by this time 209 machines in all regions of Switzerland. The installation of these ATMs was implemented in close collaboration with a variety of stakeholders, including the Swiss Library for the Blind and Visually Impaired (SBS), the Swiss Federation of the Blind and Visually Impaired (SBV), and the Swiss Association of the Blind (SBb).

The Credit Suisse talking ATMs guide visually impaired and blind users through the services available from the machine with easy-to-understand instructions in English, German, Italian and French. Communication via headphones guarantees that the necessary discretion is maintained. Standard, commercially available headsets can be used.

The launch of talking ATMs is the latest measure by Credit Suisse in its wide-ranging, long-term project to make the bank and its services fully accessible to people with disabilities. The Accessibility Initiative is making a key contribution to the bank’s goal of focusing clearly on its clients and their needs; in this case, specifically on handicapped people with impaired vision or physical disabilities, the hearing-impaired and elderly people in general.