NCR first teamed up with uGenius in 2011 to build an ATM that lets consumers talk and bank with a live, remote teller. It then took a minority stake in its partner last July.

The cash machine giant has now taken complete ownership of uGenius as it prepares to begin pilots for its Aptra Interactive Teller with "multiple top 10 US banks" in the next few months. NCR says it also plans to tap uGenius technologies that bring video banking to other channels.

Peter Leav, EVP, NCR, says: "Video banking - or, as we prefer to call it, remote assisted service - will continue to gain momentum in the US and other countries in 2013. Remote assisted service is proving to help financial institutions grow revenues while at the same time reduce their operating and real estate costs."