New Diebold Solution for the Vision-Impaired Available on the ATMs of BNL - BNP Paribas Group

ROME, November 1, 2010 /PRNewswire/ -- Diebold, Incorporated (NYSE: DBD) has been chosen by Banca Nazionale del Lavoro (BNL) – part of the Banque Nationale de Paris and Paribas (BNPP) Group – to update the bank's multifunctional automated teller machines (ATMs), which enable cardholders to deposit cash, make withdrawals and complete the other traditional "Bancomat" transactions. In addition, Diebold is also providing a software application on all the bank's multifunctional ATMs that enables vision-impaired consumers to use the machines.

(Logo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20080725/DIEBOLDLOGO

(Logo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20080725/DIEBOLDLOGO )

"The project, resulting from collaboration with the Italian Union for the Blind, responds to a need strongly felt by the vision-impaired to operate independently, and is in line with the bank's traditional focus on corporate social responsibility," said Mauro Iannucci, branch automation manager, BNL.

The service works through an audio guide activated by pressing the "5" key, recognizable by touching a raised symbol. Currently, the ATM permits vision-impaired users to make withdrawals and obtain their account balance, while new functionality like phone recharging will be added soon. The distribution of the audio-guide software for vision-impaired consumers has been completed throughout BNL's multifunctional ATM network.

"Our mission is to develop self-service technologies that facilitate access to bank services," said Dave Wetzel, vice president and managing director, Diebold EMEA. "Our R&D investments in recent years have enabled us to improve the quality of service and introduce important innovations. The new trends in the habits of bank service users and in the banking business itself offer interesting opportunities for testing new products and services. The ATM today is no longer just a cash dispenser, but an authentic service center for bank customers."

The bank and Diebold have collaborated in the past on an integrated project to construct a multi-channel architecture through Agilis® software, enabling the bank to centrally manage approximately 2,000 Web-based ATMs from three different providers.  

About BNL – Group BNPP

Founded in 1913, BNL is one of the largest banking groups in Italy. With 900 branches in Italy, BNL offers competitive, custom-made solutions to meet the banking and financial needs of households, enterprises and public sector organisations.

Since 2006, BNL is part of Group BNP PARIBAS, a European leader in global banking and financial services and one of the six strongest banks in the world (Rated AA by Standard & Poor's i.e. 3rd rating on a scale of 22). Present across Europe through all its business lines, the Group has four domestic retail banking markets in France, Italy, Belgium and Luxembourg. It has one of the largest international networks with operations in 84 countries and 201,100 employees, including 158,800 in Europe, 15,100 in North America and 10,600 in Asia.

About Diebold

Diebold, Incorporated is a global leader in providing integrated self-service delivery and security systems and services. Diebold employs more than 16,000 associates with representation in nearly 90 countries worldwide and is headquartered in Canton, Ohio, USA. Diebold is publicly traded on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol 'DBD.' For more information, visit the company's website at www.diebold.com.

SOURCE Diebold, Incorporated