The UK's Nationwide has expanded its video link consultancy service to a further 100 branches and plans to roll it out to a total of 400 branches by the end of the year, creating 200 new jobs in the process.
The face-to-face services connects customers in remote branch outposts to specialist consultants in Northampton, Bournemouth or Dunfermline and uses scanners and printers to transfer documents.
Since its launch Nationwide NOW has helped over 3200 people with their mortgage, banking and financial planning needs, says the building society, and reduced waiting times to see a consultant from weeks in some rural locations to within days.
Nationwide says the video consultancy - now available in 161 branches - has proven so successful with customers that it intends to expand it beyond mortgage agents to include financial planning and personal banking managers.
Mark Goldman, divisional director of central distribution at Nationwide Building Society, comments: “For thousands of our customers Nationwide NOW has made applying for a mortgage or seeking financial help much easier. By combining the service provided by our employees in branch and the use of technology, Nationwide NOW is able to increase access to our experts and offer greater flexibility for our customers.”