Please enter your PIN: analysts discuss the future of the ATM.

• Position: Marketing News

This year marks the 30th anniversary of the granting of a patent for the first automated teller machine (ATM).

In recognition of this milestone, the eFunds Corp., an electronics payment company based on Scottsdale, Ariz., invited three industry analysts to share their long-term (five to 10 years) predictions for the ATM as it will impact financial institutions and the banking community. Here are some of their comments.

Jerry Silva, senior analyst, Reid Banking, TowerGroup: For many banks, the outsourcing and sharing of today will be met with a need to differentiate their own brand from their competitors, even if they share a network. Outsourcers, even thought they are providing a "utility" service, will have to become more sophisticated and offer differentiated services to fulfill this desire. Web-enabled ATMs as welt as new technologies such as Web services will be a key to their ability to respond to these needs.

It is not unlikely that 10 years from now, I may be using someone else's ATM, but the interface, the menus, and the products and services offered look and feel like my bank or like my personalized online banking Web page.

Richard Bell, research manager, Retail Channels, Financial Insights: In the United...