The ANZ Bank continues to push forward on use of technology here in Tonga through the introduction of an electronic ticket machine for counter service at its Nuku'alofa branch.

Firsts from the ANZ bank (as far as I know) were the introduction of EFTPOS machines (Electronic Funds Transfer at the Point of Sale) so you can take your bankcard with you (or credit card) and do your shopping without having to take cash.

First again from ANZ Bank was the introduction of ATM (Automated Teller Machine) so you can get quick cash when the bank is closed, or when the queue line is long and you don't want to wait.

Another First is ANZ Bank's introduction of the electronic queue system. So, you walk into the bank and see a crowd of people sitting/standing around like there's a broken film. You walk to this non-descript little box and push one of three buttons (or if you want to, just go ahead and push all three and see which one comes up first.)

OK, after you get your little ticket number you can join the rest of the crowd just sitting around waiting for their number to flash up on the board. Similar to my experience with US and Australian Immigration offices.

Once your number comes up you walk to the counter, who's flashing number shows up beside your ticket number.

YEAH, you get to find a human behind all those blip-ings and blink-ings.

I was shocked when I saw all those people hanging around at the ANZ and the first thing that came to mind, gee its a good thing my business banking is with WestPac Bank of Tonga.

After sitting around for half-an-hour, the 2nd thing that came to mind is that these guys could probably have saved a lot of money and customer aggresiveness if they just hired more people instead of wanking gadgets (wanking is an Aussie term of non-endearment.)

As those numbers flicked through and they got closer to mine other thoughts came to mind, hmmmm. I better bring some work or a novel next time, hmmm, half-an-hour(?) I should run and do some errands and check back later (which I actually did.)

Back at the BANK with my number closer, WOW !!! now I know exactly how many people are in front of me without my needing to count. That is customer service.

WestPac Bank of Tonga finally got their ATM in, but I couldn't be bothered because I closed my personal savings account with them and went to the ANZ (for this reason in particular.) I think I can get an ATM card for the remaining chequeing account (personal and business) but couldn't be bothered since I don't draw cash from those anyway.

The thing I love about WestPac BOT's queue management is this, if I need to walk to the bank (i.e. mum's got the car) then I can comfortably walk to two locations: beside the Post Office, or on the One-Way Railroad Rd.

If I really need fast counter service, then I just take a drive/taxi to the Ma'ufanga/Fakafanua Ctr outlet where hardly anyone goes.

The WBOT also have an office at the TMF Building but I haven't had occassion to go there.

So, ...

When in Tonga, visit the new technologies at ANZ or visit people at WBOT, or don't use cash....

ciao,


Sam T.