Separating brand new dollar bills

When you receive a brand new stack of dollars bills in your cash register, it can be a pain for many reasons. When dollar bills are straight from the mint, they are incredibly sticky. If you are not careful, you may end up giving away more dollar bills than you hoped to. No one likes losing money and your employer may not be so forgiving if you tell them about how you have given away extra money.

There are plenty of horror stories on the Internet of regular people realizing that when they balanced their checkbook that they are now hundreds of dollars short.

So what can be done about this? Obviously the easiest way to do this is to double or even triple check your stacks of dollar bills when you are handing the bills out to customers (or vice versa, you’re handing them to a business).

If you’re getting a big stack of fresh bills, the most effective way of separating the bills is to take a stack of bills, fan it out, and spray it with glass cleaner. When you spray the bills, they begin to curl a little bit and it allows the bills to be handled easier.  Usually, it is best to keep a bottle of glass cleaner handy underneath your cash register so it is always available.

If you are still worried about the bills sticking together, you can alternate the bills either by sticking old ones in between each other or having the bills face up or down, alternately.

At Hydeman Financial Equipment, we know handling cash is risky in any situation. A product like the Glory RBU-11 currency recycler can safely and accurately dispense cash. If you are looking for easier ways to secure your cash,  contact Hydeman Financial Equipment today!

Keeping bank bags secure when transporting money

Criminals have been known to target people who handle money as they walk out of their place of business.

If you walk out of a business with a bag of money that is marked as a store bag, you’re basically wearing a big bulls-eye on your back. Whether you’re talking out of the business heading to the bank to make your daily deposit or you’re heading into the bank, you need to protect your deposit. A quick and simple tip is to disguise the deposit bag.

A safety tip that a female bank employer uses is that their all-female management crew was feeling particularly vulnerable when going to make deposits. They needed a way to disguise their deposit bag. They ended up coming up with the idea of using old purses and handbags to disguise the bag.

When they were ready to take their daily deposit to the bank, they would place the bank deposit bag inside one of their purses or handbags. They would remove their name tags to disguise themselves as just a typical customers when they walked out of the store.

At Hydeman Financial Equipment, we know handling cash is risky in any situation. If you are looking for easier ways to secure your cash,  contact Hydeman Financial Equipment today! Consult us for safer ways to transfer cash from businesses to where they need to go!

Movie Security: The Dark Knight

Some of the best American films have focused on security, whether it be money or secret documents. This blog series will talk about the security questions posed in movies from flaws and or successes of specific security systems.

The Dark Knight and The Dark Knight Rises feature two robberies in their movies. Unfortunately for Gotham City and Bruce Wayne, the bad guys got away with their robberies.

The first scene of The Dark Knight is a robbery.

You’ll notice that the bank robbers are able to get away with the crime because they were able to cut the bank’s emergency silent alert system. This is a typical bank security measure. Although, in this movie, these robbers are stealing from a bank that is mainly used by the mob so the silent alert system is actually going out to the bank, not 911 (as noted by the robbers).

The next security issue is brought up when the robbers try drilling into the safe to steal the money. The vault is protected with 5000 volts so when the robber tries to drill into it, he’s electrocuted.

Later on, we are shown a scene where Batman investigates the crime scene with the police. He takes out a device and scans a pile of cash. He notes that these bills are those he marked and gave to the police, confirming his suspicions that the mob is definitely involved.

While the police and Batman were not able to stop bank robberies (during these particular bank robberies), there were a lot of security measures put in place that made it difficult for the average bank robber to complete his or her plan. Eventually, Batman is able to capture everyone behind the bank robberies

As you can see, there are many types of ways banks can secure themselves. Many of our products are about making your bank more secure. If you would like to talk more about some of these products and how they can make your business or bank more secure, give The Hydeman Company a call at (913) 384-2620 today.

The next blog post, which will come out later this week, will discuss the bank security of The Dark Knight Rises.

Movie Security: Catch Me If You Can

Some of the best American films have focused on security, whether it be money or secret documents. This blog series will talk about the security questions posed in movies from flaws and or successes of specific security systems.

Catch Me If You Can was released in 2002 and it was a movie based on the life of Frank Abagnale (played by Leonardo DiCaprio). By his 19th birthday, he was conning millions of dollars by posing as a pilot for Pan American, a doctor in Georgia and a parish prosecutor in Louisiana. He successfully completed cons by forging checks.

Eventually, Frank Abagnale is caught when he was 21. I will not ruin the ending for you but Abagnale was able to reduce his time in prison by working for the the FBI and helping them create checks which are unforgeable.

The real Frank Abagnale is still alive and well. After serving less than five years in prison, Abagnale was released in 1974 under the condition that he would help the federal authorities with crimes committed by fraud and scam artists. He did not receive pay for this work. Because of his criminal record, it was hard for him to get and keep a job. However, he ended up getting a job with a bank after approaching them with an offer. He asked for $500 to speak to the bank about various tricks with “paperhangers” that are used to defraud banks. He then asked the bank to give his name out to other banks and Abagnale & Associates was formed, which was a security consultant agency that advises businesses on fraud.

Because of his work with legal fraud detection and avoidance consulting, Abagnale is now a legitimate millionaire. He still works with the FBI to this day and has been associated with them for over 35 years, teaching at the FBI Academy and doing lectures at FBI field offices in the UNited States. He is a faculty member at the National Advocacy Center, a member of the Board of Editors for Bank Fraud and IT Security and the Financial Fraud Law Report. His website states that his business has helped over 14,000 financial institutions, corporations and law enforcement agencies by using his fraud prevention program.

Here are just a few of his many accomplishments in security:

• Standard Register Company–since the early 1980s worked with and developed security features used on car titles, birth certificates, doctors’ prescription pads, negotiable instruments, packaging and luxury items.
• Novell–helped develop identity management software used by thousands of corporations, governments and financial institutions.
• Affinion Group—helped develop PrivacyGuard, a credit monitoring service now used by over 6 million Americans, as well as in Canada and the United Kingdom.
• ADP—designed their current payroll check issued more than 800 million times a year for the payrolls of thousands of corporations.
• First Data Corp (FDC)—designed the Integrated Payment Systems (IPS) Check currently the official bank check of over 3,000 financial institutions.
• Safechecks, Inc.—designed the SuperCheck and SuperBusiness Check considered to be the most secure checks in the world and used by thousands of municipalities, mortgage companies, title and escrow offices, and corporations.
• Appleton Papers—designed the Frank W. Abagnale signature watermark paper. One of the most secure papers in the world with numerous security features built into the paper stock and distributed exclusively by Standard Register Company, USA.
• Audemars Piguet—designed the anti-counterfeiting technology incorporated in one of the world’s most luxurious watches.
• Leigh-Mardon (Australia)—one of the world’s most sophisticated secure document printers and manufacturer of credit cards and smart cards. Helped design the Australian passport, Australian postal money order and numerous official international bank checks.
• The 41st Parameter—partnered with and help develop ImageMask—software that digitally blocks information on checks and documents from being seen online. This technology is used by some of the nation’s largest banks.
• Staples, Inc.—partnered with the world’s largest office supply store bringing security products and solutions to their consumer and business customers.
• Sanford uni-ball—helped develop the uni-ball 207 writing instrument. The only pen in the world that cannot be altered by chemicals or solvents. Over 20 million sold annually in the United States alone.
• In the past 31 years Mr. Abagnale has worked with 65% of the Fortune 500 Companies in America.
• Author of three books on white collar crime and identity theft—“The Art of the Steal”, “The Real U Guide to Identity Theft”, and “Stealing Your Life”
• Designed SequrZ secure number font used by thousands of corporations, government agencies and financial institutions to secure the written and dollar amounts on negotiable instruments. Click here to see image.

As you can see, Abagnale’s work is very prestigious. Many of our products have been produced because of his research and commitment to making this a more secure world. If you would like to talk more about some of these products and how they can make your busienss or bank more secure, give The Hydeman Company a call at 913.384.2620 today.

Benefits of Currency Recyclers Part 4: Customer Service

Every financial institution knows that success is about more than the money. It’s about people. Just like every other industry, customer service is one of, if not, the most important factors that impact a healthy bottom line. If customers aren’t happy with the service or an overall experience, they will take their money elsewhere leaving you with no business at all. It won’t matter if you have the most secure bank vault, the highest level of security cameras or the cleanest teller stations—you won’t be doing anything without customers to serve.

In the past, bank experiences have involved lengthy transactions with detail-minded tellers. Customers would wait for extended periods of time as money was collected, exchanged and properly accounted. While many institutions still rely on these methods, there are a few who have chosen to pick up the pace.

Today’s customers are impatient. They want what they want when they want it, and that is now. They don’t want to have to sit in a drive-thru window for long, and they will avoid lines at all costs. If your business can’t keep up with their desired speed, they will take their money to one of the many other choices available to them. Likely, one of any number just down the street.

The financial industry is competitive, and that’s why each owner and manager must prioritize customer service and ensure that their patrons are happy with the experience and satisfied to remain with them regardless of any competitors’ offer. It has to be worth it to them in customer service if they’re going to stay with you.

In our final post about the Glory RBU-11 Currency Recycler, we at the Hydeman Financial Equipment are outlining how automated currency recyclers can enhance a financial institution’s level of customer service. If you recall, these small machines dispense, accept, sort and store currency through a single source and function as a teller drawer. They are space- and time-saving devices that allow tellers to remain at their stations without having to go to and from vaults, and are designed to increase productivity, save space, increase accuracy, boost security and, of course, enhance customer service.

With its high-speed and accuracy, the RBU-11 currency recycler can make any transaction more efficient and reliable. Tellers don’t have to count manually, which means that there is less room for human error. Plus, with the currency being readily available, there is very little wait time for the dispensing. Each customer can be in and out of the line in up to 40 percent less time than they could at a manually operated station. And today, speed and accuracy equal success.

However, no transaction would be completely successful without a friendly teller. In the past, banks and other financial institutions had to hire tellers who had a great deal of experience with money or accounting and who boasted a detailed mind. While those are still important characteristics, the currency recycler alleviates the need for those traits to be the main factors that determine a hire. As long as a teller is capable and able to learn, he or she can be hired with more consideration going to his or her outgoing, friendly personality and attitude. Thus, when a customer approaches the counter, they will be treated to a friendly, engaging teller who can easily use the currency recycler for an accurate transaction—all in record time and with a helpful smile.

When it comes to customer service, we at Hydeman Financial believe that the Glory RBU-11 currency recycler is one of the best investments you can make. It can increase your productivity, security and overall business experience, making yours the most desired financial institution in the area.

For more information on the RBU-11, contact us at Hydeman Financial Equipment, where our business is to connect you with outstanding tools for your success. Call us today!

Benefits of Currency Recyclers Part 2: Efficiency

Every successful financial institution considers time to be an important asset—one that is almost as important as the cash itself—especially at the teller window. This is where the customer satisfaction is generated and the business is sealed. If the customer has to wait too long for his or her transaction to be completed, they will take their business elsewhere. It’s true of any business today, and it’s certainly true in the competitive world of banking. With different branches on every corner and what seems like unlimited options, customers know they have a choice. And, more often than not, the bank’s specials and deals are secondary factors when it comes to retaining their business, taking a backseat to the transaction experience itself.

At Hydeman Financial Company, we know banking and the finance industry, and it is our business to make yours better by providing equipment that can help you thrive, even in unstable financial waters. That’s why we are continuing our series on one of our bestselling products: the Glory RBU-11 Currency Recycler—a product that can save you time, money and space, while increasing teller accuracy, enhancing security and decreasing your need for excess personnel. Sound too good to be true? It’s not.

Last week, we gave an overview of the currency recycler regarding what it is and what it does. If you need to review, click here to read our previous blog. This week, as promised, we’re talking specifically about how the Glory RBU-11 can increase teller efficiency.

A large amount of a teller’s day includes counting currency, walking to and from vaults, checking totals, verifying transactions and interacting with customers. With all of their responsibilities, lines can get long, and customers can get impatient. Tellers are simply too busy at times to get them in and out of the building or drive-through fast enough to make them feel good about the experience.

With the use of an automated currency recycler, however, tellers are able to cut deposit transaction times in half and decrease cash dispense times by up to 40% as well. The currency recycler automates the acceptance, authentication and validation of bank notes while making them instantly available for dispensing to customers and helping tellers to expedite the process. Thus, instead of sitting behind the wheel stewing over how they are already late and still need to go to the pharmacy and pick up the kids, customers can pull up, roll down the window and, moments later, be on their way. Imagine the positive feedback and bank loyalty that will result from that kind of experience. When it’s been a busy day, and a bank doesn’t make it busier, a busy customer will tell their friends.

Automated currency recyclers also improve efficiency through decreasing the need for personnel and staff. The recyclers are so efficient that managers have discovered that fewer staff are required for the same amount of work. This saves you not only in the expenses of carrying extra employees, but also in maintaining overtime hours and costs. With the currency recycler, two tellers can do the amount of work that formerly required three, which can save you thousands in yearly expenses. Plus, with the automated currency recycler, the cash-balancing process at the start and end of each day can be reduced by up to 20 minutes, saving tellers and managers even more time on the clock.

At Hydeman Financial, we believe that efficiency alone would be reason enough to invest in a Glory RBU-11 Currency Recycler, but the good news is that we’re only scratching the surface. Next week we will continue our series on the benefits of these machines by addressing the issue of improved security.

In the meantime, if you would like more information about the Glory RBU-11 or would like to purchase one for your financial institution, contact us today! We’ll always be ready to answer questions and help however we can.

Benefits of Currency Recyclers: Part 1

If you read our blog regularly, you know that we are highly in favor of automated banking equipment, especially when it comes to currency recyclers. These machines are becoming a trend in banks and financial institutions across the country and are saving companies thousands by increasing efficiency and accuracy.

At Hydeman Financial, our goal is to help our customers find products that will help them not just stay afloat in a tough economy, but to thrive in it. That’s why, beginning this week, we will be starting a short series on the benefits of currency recyclers and how they can improve your daily operations specifically when it comes to efficiency, security and customer service.  After all, if you want to maintain customers, you have to be outstanding in each of these areas or risk losing them to the competition.

Before we can talk about the benefits of currency recyclers, however, we need to understand what they are and what they do. The products we carry are produced by Glory Inc., a worldwide leader in financial equipment, they have more currency recyclers installed worldwide then all of their competition combined.  Glory’s currency recyclers dispense, accept, sort and store currency through a single source. They are space- and time-saving devices that allow tellers to remain at their stations without having to spend extra time going to and from vaults throughout the day. Currency recyclers will increase productivity, save space, increase accuracy, enhance security and boost customer service.

At Hydeman Financial, our top-selling currency recycler is the Glory RBU-11. It is the most durable recycler on the market and has received positive reviews across the board. It is easy to maintain, simple to use and has excellent security features. So far, we’ve heard nothing but great feedback from customers who have chosen to purchase these devices.

Now that we’ve gone over the basics, we’ll start to break down the specifics. In our next blog, we’ll share the many ways that currency recyclers increase productivity and then continue learning about the additional benefits in the weeks to come. Like we said, our goal is to help you find products that will enhance your business in all areas, and if purchasing a Glory RBU-11 currency recycler can help you succeed then we’ll do whatever we can to help you put it in place. And, as always, if you have questions, know that we’ll always be happy to answer. Call us today!