But Pepper can do so much more than just say 'hi' to members as they walk into the lobby where she lives, as Bill Snider, Clearview's director of digital experience, explained.

"If no one is near it, it'll dance and begin to say things to call attention to itself so that somebody walks over to it," Snider said. "Then, when somebody is close to it, it knows that as well and then it goes into its mode where it allows a person to actually talk and interact with it. They can tell Pepper, 'I have a question.'"

With a somewhat high-pitched almost child-like voice, Pepper can give answers to simple questions about Clearview's products and services or promote them by making members aware, for example, that they can earn twice the reward points by using Clearview's Visa card over the Holiday season. Pepper can also talk about the credit union's mission and history, take selfies and dance and play games with the kids while mom and dad take care of all of that boring bank stuff.

Pepper's humanoid life is made possible by a system of sophisticated AI technology, sensors and advanced algorithms enabling the robot to detect human emotions by analyzing the person's facial expression and tone of voice, according to Pepper's creators Softbank Robotics Corp. in Tokyo. The company's main office in the U.S. is in San Francisco where the humanoid robot made its debut in 2016.

Since then, Pepper has been spotted at the Smithsonian in Washington, D.C., and at California retailers, assisting and entertaining customers.

Most recently, HSBC Bank USA announced six months ago that it became the first U.S. financial institution to put Pepper to work at its branches as part of the bank's $131 million retail transformation initiative.

According to media reports, the first generation of Peppers went on sale in June 2015 when the first batch of 1,000 units sold out in 60 seconds for about $1,600 per unit. Pepper invaded Europe in 2016 where it is being reportedly used at supermarkets in France to help customers find things and at a Belgian hospital to interact with patients.

While planning the remodeling of its Moon Township branch, Clearview staff members began brainstorming about how to showcase the financial center's modern style and its new technologies that enhance the member experience.

"Somebody who was at a conference heard about Pepper, so we did some research," Snider said. "The more research we did, the more the executive team liked the idea because you could take it around to different places and you could really then have a piece of technology to talk about the other technology advancements that Clearview has for members. It just sort of worked out well."

When Pepper arrived at Clearview in January, staffers used a web platform to upload Pepper with texts and video about Clearview products, services, history and other information. The robot has an advanced text to voice software engine that enables it to recite Clearview's information. Pepper also has the ability to speak in more than 20 different languages.

"For the first half of the year, we did a lot of beta testing," Snider said. "We took her to different financial centers for events and other events throughout the community to let the public see it, to let our employees see it. Then when we opened up the remodeled financial center in Moon in July, we decided that's where Pepper would live….in the lobby when she is not in the community or at other locations."

Because it is so novel, Pepper has certainly grabbed people's attention and curiosity at events sponsored at Clearview branches, credit union league chapter meetings and home and garden shows.

"Having Pepper there definitely stands out and makes folks pay attention; it draws them in," Snider said. "Because it can tell different stories, we've then been able to craft what Pepper is saying to be specific to that chapter meeting, or if it's the home show, every story that Pepper is talking about has to do with products and services that would apply to those folks there. It really draws attention to Clearview."

Clearview plans to develop new ways to use Pepper that will enhance the member experience and promote its brand at its branches and throughout the community.

For example, the credit union has done beta testing to develop Pepper's receptionist skills for members who have an appointment with staffers.  After telling Pepper they are at the branch to meet with an employee, a list of names appears on the robot's tablet. Once the member selects the employee's name, Pepper sends a text and email to alert the staffer the member has arrived for the appointment.

"Although Pepper will live in Moon, I think in 2019 it will spend a lot more time in other places," Snider said.