The Financial Services segment consists of consumer and commercial banks, finance companies, credit unions, brokerage houses, and investment institutions. Information access and transaction processes have been the driving factors in supplying enhanced customer self-service opportunities. This market has been an early adopter of customer interaction technologies, recognizing the benefits to customers of real time self-management of financial accounts and portfolios.

The brokerage segment was one of the first to realize the significant benefits of speech recognition for obtaining quotes and performing financial transactions over the telephone. The key was providing tools for customers that they were willing to use and that gave the caller options for conducting business. In addition, the investment return in terms of reduced transaction costs and customer loyalty was significant. The original applications were oriented toward a touchtone method of data entry, but in the past few years there has been a migration to voice interaction through the use of speech recognition technologies. In addition, voice authentication is being adopted to increase the security of access to sensitive account information and to provide an audit trail for transactions.

Solutions for Financial Services

Account Status and Management

Allows callers to obtain information about their accounts and to move funds if they desire. Utilization of numerical identifiers and passwords supplies the security needed for these transactions. Movement of balances between accounts, payment of bills, 401k Plan information, and a variety of other applications are wrapped up in this general solution category.

Branch/ATM Locator

Allows the caller to enter a zip code or phone number to retrieve information about branches and other services within a particular geographical area.

Card Activator

The caller calls a selected number, enters some numerical information (card number, home telephone number, etc.), and the bank or credit card is automatically activated for use.

Investment Fund Manager

Allows the caller to obtain information on the current balances by account name, the number of shares owned, the net average value of each share, the performance history of particular funds, and to conduct transactions between funds.

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Loan/Mortgage Information Hot Line

Provides the caller with access to information regarding types of loans currently being offered, rates, additional services offered (auto trade in and price quotes, different home mortgage options, etc.) and other information to help them make loan decisions. Helps answer recurring questions without tying up internal personnel time.

Past Due Notification

If a payment is past due, the customer can be notified proactively to help avoid late charges and other misunderstandings. When the call is answered, the caller is asked to enter an identifier (SSN, account number) to ensure the system is speaking to the appropriate person. Upon this receipt, particular information about the payment can be played. If no response/invalid response is received, a general message about having “person x” call the bank at their convenience can be played. Callers can also be given the option of paying the bill via credit card on the same call.

Service Requests

The caller is able to order additional checks, copies of account statements, and transaction forms required for loans, etc.

Stock Transactions

With advanced speech recognition, financial institutions have been able to implement systems that allow the caller to speak the name or symbol of the desired stock to obtain current market quotes, make sell/buy transactions, and in general obtain information that is used in financial decisions.

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