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With a rash of robberies occurring in recent weeks and months at financial institutions in various parts of Maine, Newscenter Maine contacted your League seeking insight on some of the new technology being implemented in the financial services industry to increase branch security. The inquiry came after the latest robbery took place this week at a Key Bank branch in Waterville, and the robber was caught a short time later using GPS technology.
“The reporter at Newscenter Maine was looking for broad insight into some of the ways financial institutions are being proactive in not only preventing robberies but also having more information to provide to law enforcement to facilitate making capturing a robber(s) more quickly. As a recognized resource for knowledge and expertise, the reporter contacted your League first for assistance,” said Jon Paradise, Vice President of Public Affairs and Engagement for the Maine CU League.
After the reporter’s call, your League worked on facilitating an interview with Newscenter Maine and a Portland-area credit union, per the reporter’s request. Jason Lindstrom, President/CEO of Evergreen CU, was quick to volunteer to help. Within less than a half an hour after the reporter’s call, an interview was arranged between Newscenter Maine and the credit union. “We pride ourselves on being responsive in a timely manner. We appreciate Jason’s fast response to our request, and his willingness to speak to the reporter,” added Paradise.
In the interview, Lindstrom discussed some of the ways credit unions are investing in new technology to help track down suspects. “We have new high-definition, 360-degree cameras with enhanced zoom so that if the credit union ever gets robbed, they can easily track down the suspect. It’s not the photos of old where it was black and white. We have nice, high def images.”
Lindstrom, who has been robbed twice in his career working in financial services, also noted that credit unions are investing in all types of fraud prevention technology, including anti-skimming machines on card readers, and facial/thumbprint recognition on its mobile app.
Paradise said this type of opportunity once again “reinforced credit unions as sources of knowledge and being progressive in utilizing and implementing technology. Jason did a great job articulating those facts.”
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