MAGIC         PORK

I love the new ATM that HSBC installed at the branch I frequent (University & Culver). I’ve been banking with HSBC (formerly Marine Midland) for my whole life so maybe other banks have these ATMs already, but it’s new to me.

I don’t like to make frequent trips to the ATM so I’ll typically take out $300 at a time. (Note to would-be muggers: I do not usually carry $300 on me.)  This is the procedure I would follow with the old ATM, after sliding my card in:

1. Enter 4 digit PIN: “0-4-0-9″.
   Just kidding! You think I’m that stupid to post my PIN here? Or to use my birthday as my PIN?
2. Hit “Enter”.
3. Select “Withdrawal”.
4. Select “Checking”.
5. Select “Other Amount”. ($300 is never listed as a fast cash amount.)
6. Enter “3-0-0-0-0″.
7. Hit “Enter”.
8. Select “No” for if I want another transaction.
9. Select “Yes” for if I want a receipt.

That’s a total of 16 button presses and 7 screens to interact with. Compare that with how I use the ATM now:

1. Enter 4 digit PIN: “0-4-0-9″.
2. Hit “Enter”.
3. Select “Withdraw $300 From Checking”.

Done.  6 button presses and 2 screens.

That’s possible because after entering my PIN, the main screen has a “Set Preferences” button. During a previous session, I used that button to answer the questions of how much to withdraw, from which account, and whether to return a receipt, and it saved those preferences with my account so that from that point on, there’s a fast cash button that’s customized to what I typically do.

Genius? No. Common sense. So why haven’t I seen this before? And why was I so impressed when I discovered this?

Unfortunately, just as HSBC is giving me this awesome ATM, I’m most likely going to be switching banks. (See previous post. Only one HSBC branch.)

P.S. It’s “ATM”, not “ATM machine”. It’s also “PIN”, not “PIN number”, although I’m embarrassed to admit that I still slip up on that one sometimes.

Pretty soon there will be a new resident of our nation’s capital. Someone that will bring much needed change and inspire so many people. That’s right, I’m moving to Washington, DC.

It’s been in the works for a few months now, but I didn’t want to make a public statement until the details were less hazy. I left my job as of December 31st and will be starting at a new company on Monday. However, I will still be in Rochester for the time being because this job requires working from home, as well as some travel.

I looked at apartments in DC last weekend and signed a lease on one, so I will be moving there around March 1st. I’ve thought about moving from Rochester for a while now, and moving to DC in particular, but I’ve always hesitated. But now seems like a good time to make the move, for both personal and professional reasons. It might be tough since I’ve never lived anywhere except Rochester and my hometown (also in upstate New York), but I’m looking forward to giving it a shot.

I’ll miss Rochester I’m sure, but I’ll be back to visit and maybe someday I’ll move back. (I must admit: I chose to rent an apartment instead of purchase a condo mainly so that I have a exit plan in case I hate it there.) In the meantime, all you good Rochesterians and other upstate New Yorkers will just have to struggle on without me. I know you’re up to the task.