Say goodbye to long lines and drab outlets -- the banks of the future are fashioning themselves into cool destinations. The interior of this ING Direct bank, in Milan, was developed by architects NewTone and mimics the design of retail stores.
Courtesy Marco Michele Rossi, Newtone Architects/New Architects
No tellers? —
ING bank also partnered with design consultancy Allen International to create the first branch in Turkey without traditional tellers. The branch also features the latest "Q-matic" queuing system which allows customers to join lines remotely before they arrive at the bank.
Courtesy of Gurkan AKAY
Slick design —
The glossy interior of the flagship Dot FNB store in Cape Town, South Africa (pictured) uses "interactive gesture technology," which detects when people pass by the store front, prompting messaging and letting customers interact with the screen to learn more about its products and services.
Courtesy FNB
Quick service —
The Lab, Allied Irish Bank's digital banking store in Dublin, is centered around digital self-servicing technologies that help customers learn about its services. Visitors are offered free use of iPads, iMacs and wireless Internet.
Courtesy of Bernhard Kristinn
Social media features —
Developed by design consultancy Allen International, The Lab's quick banking zone features multi-functional ATMs and a social media wall.
Courtesy of Bernhard Kristinn
Luxury outlets —
Barwa Bank in Qatar, pictured, is a design concept developed by Italian retail design company Crea International. Decked with leather seats and sleek interfaces, this 'bank of the future' has a real luxury feel.
Courtesy of Crea International
No more lines? —
Visitors to the Barwa concept branch would be welcomed by a "butler," who registers their attendance and queries. Customers are left to explore the interactive displays and various electronic devices in the meanwhile.
Courtesy of Crea International
Sleek interfaces —
Umpqua bank has a flagship store in San Francisco that features a "Catalyst Wall" -- an interactive digital wall, where users can find out new trends and insights in the world of business.
Courtesy of umpqua bank
Banks with robots —
Bradesco Next, designed by YDreams, is located in Sao Paulo, Brazil. This innovative branch features multi-app walls and even houses a little robot, Link 237, who greets visitors.
Courtesy of Egberto Nogueira
Ground-breaking technology —
The Bradesco branch is also experimenting with touch screen technology and recognition systems that improve efficiency and security.
Courtesy of Bradesco
Face-to-face interaction —
Despite banks like Bradesco incorporating forward thinking technology, face-to-face interaction will not be overlooked. "It's about technology enabling branch employees to have higher value, personalized interactions" says Martin Shires, branch transformation manager at consumer transaction company NCR.
Courtesy of Egberto Nogueira
Touch-screen tables —
Raiffeisen's flagship bank, designed by Nau Architects and located in Zurich, features an open lounge and touch screen info table. The design strives for an atmosphere like that of a high-end retail environment.
Courtesy of Jan Bitter
24-hour access —
In-house systems and employee-access terminals are ingrained within the furniture. The bank also features a robotic retrieval system that allows access to safety deposit boxes at all hours.
Courtesy of Jan Bitter
Self-service —
Barclays flagship branch in Piccadilly, London covers 8,000 square feet and is spread across three floors. With interactivity as its focus, the bank has designated a large area to self-service banking.
Courtesy of the one off
Beyond banking —
'Being: London', an interactive wall within the Piccadilly branch, provides local information and showcases what people in the capital are doing. Rather than solely driving sales, the bank also hopes to operate as a wider resource for customers and visitors.
