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Detroit energy company rolls out bill-payment kiosks for low-income customers

DTE Energy has rolled out new bill-payment kiosks throughout Michigan to aid unbanked customers.

December 7, 2015

DTE Energy has rolled out new bill-payment kiosks throughout Michigan to aid low-income customers. These kiosks are designed to accept all forms of payment, including cash, which will be helpful for customers who do not have bank accounts, according to a report by Detroit Free Press.

The kiosk was designed by payments company DivDat and was deployed at 30 DTE payment centers and Rite Aid pharmacies in Detroit and other Michigan areas. The kiosk does not charge fees to users. This is different than third-party bill-payment kiosks, which may charge up to $3 per transaction, according to the report.

In Detroit, almost one in five residents is unbanked, making it the second highest rate in the United States. "For many, it is hard to imagine how it would be possible manage financial affairs without basic products like a checking account or a credit card," Treasury Secretary Jacob Lew said in an announcement. "But the consequences of exclusion are real, and expanding access to financial services is important at every level of the global economy."

DivDat president and CEO Jason Bierkle believes that his company needs to build more awareness of the kiosk and reduce concerns that these kiosks will take away jobs from customer service representatives.