Beyond the cool factor (emerging trends in the design of bank branches and associated technologies)

Beyond the cool factor (emerging trends in the design of bank branches and associated technologies)

Article Type: Abstracts From: Strategic Direction, Volume 26, Issue 11

Buliard F.Banking Technology, June 2010, Start page: 20, No. of pages: 2

Discusses the emerging trends in the design of bank branches of financial institutions as many such institutions seek to redeploy their branch resources toward sales and advisory functions. Argues that it would be a mistake to assume that bank branches have been rendered obsolescent by the growth in Internet banking in general, and mobile banking in particular. Explains that the key to the efforts of these banks lies in the striving for efficiency and re-utilization of resources in different ways in order to grow their revenues. Notes how banks are redesigning their branches away from teller-based services and towards a mixture of new interior design, reminiscent of retail stores, and interactive technology. Refers to such innovations as Microsoft’s Surface multi-touch interface, pioneered in Europe by Barclays in its Piccadilly branch in 2008, and the spread of this and similar systems to other branches throughout Europe. Stresses that the success of these new retail bank systems will depend on customer service improvements involving the implementation of customer relationship management (CRM) solutions and analytical tools that were at the forefront of retail banking consideration ten years ago.Article type: ViewpointISSN: 0266-0865Reference: 39AR194

Keywords: Banks, Communications technology, European Union, Financial data processing, User interfaces