GTE Financial to Change Bay Area Banking With Inte

TAMPA, Fla., July 29, 2013 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- GTE Financial has announced that GTE OnScreen, its Interactive Teller Machine (ITM), will offer downtown Tampa the best of GTE's personalized service with additional operating efficiencies. ITM technology has seen increasing implementation across the banking industry and will be introduced to the downtown Tampa market at GTE's new N. Ashley Dr. location, slated to open early November.

"It's always about the member experience," says Joe Brancucci, GTE Financial president and CEO. "Rather than just leaving it up to members to figure out this new banking technology, we'll have GTE OnScreen fully supported by staff."

Brancucci says GTE research indicates that members are interested in choosing the way they access services. When members use GTE OnScreen, a GTE Advocate remotely located at GTE's headquarters will appear on the screen to interact real time. All the member needs to do is pick up the phone receiver to speak with their Advocate, ensuring the conversation is private and not readily overheard by others. Other Member Advocates will be onsite to assist with questions as well.

Services available through GTE OnScreen include (but are not limited to) making a loan payment, changing a debit card PIN, depositing a checking, making a withdrawal, transferring funds between accounts, making a wire transfer, getting official checks, checking an account balance or placing a stop payment on a check.

"With GTE OnScreen handling the bulk of traditional transactions, our Member Advocates can spend more time providing one-on-one attention to members," says Brancucci. "Members who need information about more detailed financial needs such as insurance or investments, applying for a loan or opening a new account will be able to speak with Member Relationship Officers who will still be located in all our locations."

GTE OnScreen will be available for members in Autumn of 2013 in the new downtown Tampa location, 601 N. Ashley Dr.

About GTE Financial:

GTE Financial is a not-for-profit financial cooperative with more than $1.6 billion in assets and 21 Community Financial Centers located throughout West Central Florida. Chartered in 1935, GTE, which has just announced its Interactive Teller Machine capabilities, is locally owned and operated in the Tampa Bay area, serving more than 200,000 individuals and businesses. More information on GTE Financial can be found at www.gtefinancial.org .

MEDIA CONTACT: Suzie Boland RFB Communications Group 813-259-0345