Next Gen Banking

http://blogs.zdnet.com/BTL/?p=7641

As banks build more branches to take advantage of customer demand for in-person experiences, they are looking to create more value by adding a variety of technologies designed for customer identification, screening, data collection and sales support.

As you enter the branch, a system identifies you by scanning your RFID loyalty card and then displays a personalized welcome message on the wall. At the same time, a sales representative is informed of your arrival and supplied with a quick summary of your financial situation. If you’re judged to be worth the effort, the sales rep will approach, shake hands, and gently inform you that if you maintain your current savings rate, you’ll be spending your Golden Years in a refrigerator carton.

RFID? Really? I am going to put my money on face recognition, possibly iris recognition, as the technologies that drive these kinds of changes.