Tech Bytes: People's of Calif. to Use Affinity Loan Terminals

Affinity Technology Group said Los Angeles-based People's Bank of California has agreed to install 10 Affinity automated loan machines.

The self-service terminals, known as ALMs, accept credit application data, forward it to decision-making systems, and deliver loan proceeds.

The ALMs at $1.7 billion-asset People's Bank will offer both credit and checking account products. Six of the terminals will be deployed in nonbranch locations.

"People's Bank is pleased to be the first bank to bring ALM technology to consumers on the West Coast," said Bill Flader, executive vice president.

"This new technology will provide our customers with the ultimate in banking convenience," and let the bank "extend its physical presence, without investing in traditional infrastructure."

An Affinity executive said the Office of Thrift Supervision has ruled that the terminals to be installed by People's will be viewed for regulatory purposes as remote service units and not as branches. The OTS is considering whether to make a broader ruling that would treat all ALMs this way.

The Federal Deposit Insurance Corp. and the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency already have made such rulings on ALMs, Affinity said.

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