Indiana Bank Improves Security with High-Definition Cameras

Mercantile National Bank boosts teller security and surveillance quality with CoVi cameras

Mercantile National Bank, Indiana's largest privately'owned financial institution, has significantly increased the quality and image resolution of its video monitoring surveillance system with the installation of several High-Definition EVQ-1000 cameras from CoVi Technologies. Mercantile Bank operates 19 branches throughout Northwest Indiana with eight remote ATM locations and more than 40 ATMs on the Harris Speedway. All of the banks branch and remote ATMs are under 24 hour live and recorded surveillance.

The security system was installed and is maintained by B&N Safe and Vault located in Hoffman Estates, Ill. B&N is a full-service security systems integrator and works with leading banks and other commercial businesses in the Tri-State area.

The Mercantile Bank uses its video surveillance capabilities for both onsite security and fraud prevention. That is why it is so important for the bank to have a camera positioned over each teller station that offers an exceptional detailed field of view and crystal-clear image recognition features. The camera also must quickly adapt to light and dark environments, and quick image motion. The bank's IP-based security system can be accessed from the main control room and from several PC on the network. This allows the branch managers and bank executives' immediate access to any live situation, as well as the opportunity to review recorded video for training and improving customer service.

One CoVi EVQ-1000 camera can replace the two leading industry cameras now installed over the bank's teller stations. With CoVi's patented zoom-under-picture (ZUP) technology, security personnel can efficiently monitor all of the teller activities with a single camera lens and zoom-in independently with CoVi's electronic pan-tilt-zoom (EPTZ) capability. The bank also can monitor a wider-view of the overall bank lobby for more effective crime prevention and customer protection.

"Recorded video is the first thing law enforcement officers ask for when investigating any type of criminal activity in a bank," said Frank Dupey, Chief Security Officer at Mercantile National Bank. "Also, if criminals see a fairly robust display of video cameras at strategic locations around a bank, they will most likely move to another not so well protected target. Video surveillance is a proven deterrent to crime and provides a reliable visual record for date/time stamped activities and events."

Dupey added that as a retired police officer, he understand the importance of clear video images that can be used to identify a suspect. Too often, the video is blurred or of such poor quality that it is simple useless in a criminal investigation. "It makes no sense to invest thousands of dollars in a security system and not have a reliable video surveillance component that can provide high quality live and recorded images," said Dupey. "Saving money means nothing if it compromises your security and your ability to protect employees."

"The CoVi camera provides the clearest video image that I have ever seen. You feel you can reach-out and touch the images on your PC or monitor'it looks that good," said Wayne Bartlett, Owner of B&N Safe and Vault. "The camera has a wider field of view that can record a greater amount of detail surrounding an event and it easily integrates with our existing IP-based security network. It almost sells itself."

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