Finland’s first robotic safe deposit box service to open in Lahti shopping centre

Finland’s first fully automated safe deposit box service will open in a Lahti shopping centre in May, offering a new alternative as banks reduce traditional vault facilities, reports Yle Päijät-Häme.

The service, operated by Jalonom Oy, will allow customers to store valuables and documents in secure lockers accessed via a robotic system. Unlike traditional bank vaults, users will not enter a locker room—instead, the selected box is delivered to them automatically after strong authentication.

Access requires a chip card and personal PIN code at a controlled entry point during shopping centre hours (7:00–23:00). Each visit mandates re-authentication, with provider Gunnebo Safe Storage—supplier to over 25 countries—supplying the security infrastructure.

Demand persists despite digital shift
While demand for bank safe deposit boxes has declined due to digitalisation (e.g., electronic share certificates and contracts), Jalonom CEO Kimmo Korkiakoski notes ongoing need for physical storage: “Businesses and households still require secure spaces for certain items.”

Some banks, like Danske, have phased out vault services entirely, while others (e.g., Nordea, OP Pohjola) maintain limited offerings. OP Häme’s Marjaana Ahonen attributes reduced demand to cheaper, flexible document storage solutions—but adds that societal uncertainty occasionally boosts interest in physical vaults.

The Lahti service is reportedly the first of its kind in the Nordics.