Check-Casher Hooks Up with ATM Maker In Bid to Land More 'Banked' Consumers

Innoventry Corp., a deployer of check-cashing machines primarily for people without banking accounts, has aligned with Diebold Inc. in a move to expand into the "banked" market.

A joint venture of Wells Fargo & Co. and pawnshop chain Cash America International Inc. established in May 1998, San Francisco-based Innoventry deploys self-service check-cashing machines that rely on biometric technology to identify users. Diebold, a leading automated teller machine manufacturer, has been supplying equipment to Innoventry and is strengthening its commitment with this formal alliance.

"Diebold has very close relationships with many banks," said Mary Burczyk, senior vice president of corporate marketing and communications for Innoventry. The agreement is "mutually beneficial to an exponential degree."

Innoventry's Rapid Pay Machines eliminate the need for a card by using cameras to identify users' faces. Canton, Ohio-based Diebold will integrate, install, and service most Rapid Pay Machines. Innoventry said it will be able, working with Diebold, to build 10 a day of the machines that also accept ATM cards, compared with three a week on its own.

"Our company is a start-up. Staging and installing machines used to be done on a virtually one-off basis," Ms. Burczyk said.

Innoventry, which does not seek exclusive agreements, also deals with Diebold rival NCR Corp., though it has yet to deploy a Rapid Pay Machine made by NCR. Innoventry and NCR are working on "engineering issues" related to the check reading process, Ms. Burczyk said.

"We see this as a way to align our companies to meet significant market demand for adding operational efficiency in bank lobbies or for providing total financial services solutions for self-banked consumers in retail locations across the country," said Toni Portmann, Diebold vice president of North American sales and service.

Innoventry, formerly Mr. Payroll Corp., this year introduced the second generation of its Rapid Pay Machine, featuring a second screen for advertising and news. It has agreements to install the machines in 1,500 supermarkets and convenience stores primarily in Houston, Dallas, Forth Worth, and Phoenix.

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