CoreStates setting network example.

CoreStates Setting Network Example

CoreStates Financial Corp. is getting an early start on efforts to comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act.

Already, the company has formed a section in its compliance department that will focus exclusively on the new law. CoreStates, which owns and operates the giant MAC network, is hoping to set an example for other institutions to follow.

The hope is that by getting an ADA policy in place early, "the continuity of our ideas will spill over into member banks' compliance," said John R. Adams, senior compliance officer at Corestates.

Although the company's CoreStates Bank operates only 206 ATMs in and around the Philadelphia area, the MAC network is by far the nation's largest regional system.

According to CoreStates, monthly transaction volume over MAC is averaging 49.5 million in 1991.

The new group will spell out later this month the bank's plans for 1992. Among the possibilities: the installation of braille instructions on ATMs to assist visually impaired customers.

But to ensure effectiveness, any modifications would need to be installed in a consistent manner, said the bank's Mr. Adams.

For example, he said, "the best-case scenario would have all MAC members placing the braille instructions on the same area of the machine."

Mr. Adams said the compliance group will also track conversion details in case CoreStates needs to document its efforts.

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