IBM signs $71 m deal with UK post office

NEW YORK: International Business Machines Corp. on Thursday said it signed a

$71 million agreement to provide the UK post office with technology and services

that will enable customers to bank at its postal branches.

IBM said customers will be able to access bank accounts and withdraw benefits

and new tax credits such as pensions and child tax credits at the Post Office

Ltd. IBM will design and manage the system.

The post office has 17,500 branches in the United Kingdom.