Empire FCU Pilots New TellerConcept

SYRACUSE, N.Y. - (10/17/05) -- Credit union members are standingside-by-side with tellers, instead of on opposite sides of acounter, in a new teller concept being tested by Empire FCU. Theso-called dialogue tower is friendlier, more secure and attractive,credit union officials believe. Financial service representativesapproach the customers and walk with them over to one of theislands where they stand side by side to take care of the request.The towers feature a cash-recycling machine inside an island, whichboth dispenses cash and accepts deposits. The dialogue tower ismore secure than traditional teller stations because there is nocash drawer. It also is cheaper to operate because it takes up lessspace than the traditional set-up.