[dropcap]A[/dropcap]bsa is adding new functionality to its ATMs, promising customers a more efficient experience through better personalisation. The upgrades should mean shorter queues as average transaction time is expected to be cut to about 20 seconds, from 50 seconds now.

ATM users will now be prompted to opt into the personalisation option when they use these devices, the bank said. “Doing so, will enable their experience to be tailored around their most used services, saving them time in the process.”

If, for example, a user selects English as his preferred language, they’re never be prompted again to select a language option when using an ATM.

They can also personalise various other aspects, such as whether they want a receipt and the name they want displayed by the ATM (up to a maximum of 40 characters).

“If you withdraw a certain amount every month to pay your bills or transfer money into the same account of a family member, for example, the ATM will prompt you to perform that ‘favourite’ transaction at the right time, instead of you having to go through all of the options and menu selections again,” the bank said.

Allen Mahadeo, head the self-service channel and branchless banking for Absa, said the personalisation upgrades will be rolled out in phases across South Africa and will be completed by the end of July.