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The history of the Banesto drive-through bank at Paseo de la Castellana 7, Madrid

In 1967, an unusual place was opened in Madrid: the Banesto drive-through bank where people could carry out transactions without getting out of their cars.

In 1967, the Banco Español de Crédito, known as Banesto, opened the first drive-thru bank in Spain at Paseo de la Castellana 7, in the heart of Madrid. This innovative service allowed customers to Carry out banking transactions without having to get out of the car, a revolutionary idea for its time.

The drive-through bank was equipped with a closed-circuit television system that guided customers to the appropriate window. Customers could cash checks, make deposits and other simple transactions without having to leave their vehicle. This service not only offered convenience, but also symbolised the progress and modernity of Spain in the 60s and 70s.

autobank announcement

The system's description said that an "electronic brain" (whatever that was) analyzed the customer's needs and redirected them to the appropriate counter. Among the various advantages was that the entity allowed customers to They could operate in the drive-through bank regardless of the branch where they had their current account., something that, at the time, was more useful than doing small banking transactions (since mortgages could never be signed, it must be said) without getting out of the car.

THE CAR BANK THAT DISAPPEARED

The specialized press echoed the entire architectural project of the bank.Thanks to the 24 closed-circuit television screens, it was possible to cash a check in a minute and a half from the time the vehicle entered and left the building.«The proposal was so innovative that it appeared in Pedro Lazaga's film You shall not desire your neighbor's wife (1968). American cultural influence, with its emphasis on Comfort and convenience also played an important role in the popularization of this type of services.

In addition to the Banesto drive-thru, Other banks in Spain also implemented this service during the 60s and 70s. For example, Banco de Bilbao and Banco de Vizcaya also offered drive-through banking in several cities. These services spread rapidly due to the growing popularity of the automobile and the search for convenience and efficiency in banking transactions.

The drive-thru system was only implemented in a few branches and in certain areas of the cities. Not only did it require a more complex infrastructure than any other office, but it also required It became obsolete with the appearance of credit cards and ATMs. which, in addition to being able to be used by anyone, whether they had a car or not, were available 24 hours a day and did not require an employee to attend to them. Although the Banesto drive-through bank closed its doors in the 90s, its legacy lives on as a reminder of a time when innovation and technology were beginning to transform the daily lives of Spaniards.

Text: Karl Walter Klobuznik. Images: You shall not covet your neighbor's wife (1968), Banesto

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Written by The Escudería

LA ESCUDERÍA is the main website in Spanish dedicated to Classic Cars. We give all kinds of machinery to move by itself: From cars to tractors, from motorcycles to buses and trucks preferably powered by fossil fuels...

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