LAS VEGAS-With credit unions looking for economical ways to service small business accounts, Financial Service Centers Cooperative said it has a remote deposit pilot underway for a rollout in six months. In remarks at FSCC's annual conference here, Sarah Canepa Bang, CEO of the shared branch organization, said work is being done with Ensenta Corp. the San Mateo, Calif. check processor and tech provider, to develop a prototype using basic but slightly more expensive scanning devices in which business owners can handle transactions "from the comfort of their home." Bang said a pilot CU has volunteered for the six-month rollout but declined to identify the institution without getting permission. The FSCC executive forecast that the service could become useful to CUs who often fear tellers would get bogged down in tedious check handling jobs including sorting and stamping the documents.

And so the shared branching vehicle with remote deposit can provide an affordable means to offer the service, she said.