The photograph (right) shows part of an Olivetti Terminal of the type that was used by the Bank after the initial computerisation of its accounts.

 

A passbook was inserted into the terminal (a red Investment Account book is shown in the photograph) to enable transactions to be printed therein.

 

Alongside the passbook is a blue withdrawal form and the white audit roll - both of which were also printed with the current transaction being dealt with.

 

The cashier would input details of the transaction (eg transaction type; account number; passbook balance; amount) via the keyboard at the front of the terminal.

 

The second photograph (by Steve Barber) shows a terminal that has recently been delivered to Weoley Castle branch, shortly before the branch was connected to the On-Line Real-Time computer system. A further photograph (below) shows a terminal being operated in an administrative office, although the normal environment for the majority of machines was to be located on a branch counter. 

 

Note the control keys (for use by the teller, supervisor, etc) bottom left, alongside a row of indicator lights. On the left of the terminal is the punched-tape unit used as a back-up system to record transactions when the On-Line Real-Time was unavailable.

 

Initially, the terminals were linked to a number of computer centres but, with the advances in computer technology, the network was eventually rationalised so that all terminals in England and Wales were linked to the Wythenshawe Computer Centre (below); and in due course the cumbersome Olivetti terminals were replaced with more modern designs.

(right):

Wythenshawe Computer Centre,

Manchester