In a major milestone for Costa Rican banking infrastructure, Banco de Costa Rica (BCR) has officially completed the modernization of its nationwide automated teller machine (ATM) network, deploying 421 next-generation devices across the country.

The newly installed units are designed to deliver a faster, safer, and highly accessible self-service banking experience, incorporating advanced contactless technology, intuitive touchscreens, and specialized accessibility features.

Contactless Withdrawals & Enhanced Security

One of the most significant upgrades in the new network is the integration of NFC contactless readers. This feature enables users to perform cash withdrawals and routine banking transactions without inserting a physical card into the machine.

Customers can complete transactions simply by bringing any of the following close to the ATM sensor:

• A contactless-enabled debit or credit card
• A smartphone with an activated digital wallet
• A compatible smartwatch

“This contactless method directly addresses key operational issues by significantly reducing instances of forgotten cards or cards retained by the physical devices.”

Touchscreen Interface & Inclusive Accessibility

BCR has phased out traditional physical push-buttons in favor of wide, high-definition touchscreen displays featuring an expanded and more intuitive graphical interface.

Designed for Accessibility

To ensure full financial inclusion, the new ATMs incorporate a complete voice-guidance system tailored for visually impaired customers. To build an effective and seamless interface, BCR collaborated with specialized organizations:

• Helen Keller Institute
• Patronato Nacional de Ciegos (National Board for the Blind)

Expanded Self-Service: Reducing Teller Line Times

Beyond traditional cash withdrawals, the upgraded network functions as a comprehensive self-service hub, allowing customers to bypass branch tellers and customer service platforms for common requests:

Mynor Hernández, Corporate Operations Manager at BCR, emphasized that this rollout represents a core element of the bank’s digital transformation roadmap. The main objective is to elevate service quality and decrease queue times across branch lobbies by empowering users with self-management tools.

Support and Educational Resources

To assist users with the transition, BCR has published step-by-step video tutorials on its official YouTube channel (BancoBCR). Additionally, on-site branch advisors are available across locations nationwide to assist customers with using the new devices.

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