Abstract: The present invention includes a system for providing personal financial services utilizing video conferencing between a consumer and a services provider at a location remote from the consumer. The system comprises a call distributor mechanism for receiving requests from the consumer and for responding to requests based upon semantics communicated by the consumer.

Abstract: A retractable video teleconferencing apparatus for a video monitor having an optical axis. An optical assembly includes a housing mounted to the video monitor; a track for moving the housing between a retracted position and a forward position in which the housing is positioned forward of the video monitor; a beamsplitter hingedly attached to the housing and movable between a first position in which the beamsplitter is positioned across the optical axis at an angle relative thereto, whereby optical images directed toward the display along the optical axis are at least partially reflected by the beamsplitter, and a second position in which the beamsplitter is retracted into the housing; and a video camera located in the housing and positioned relative to the beamsplitter for receiving the partially reflected images and for generating a video signal corresponding to the partially reflected images. The beamsplitter, in the first position, is mounted at a 45.degree. angle relative to the optical axis.