NEW DESIGN TRENDS TO TRADITIONAL BANKING WITHIN THE CINCINNATI MARKET

The K4 team couldn’t have been more thrilled when The Community Bankers Association of Ohio announced that the 2017 annual convention would be held in our hometown of Cincinnati, OH this summer. While we look forward to visiting and networking with our fellow CBAO members, we’d like to share a short list of new community bank design trends that have been implemented within the Cincinnati market by the K4 design team. Should time permit, feel free to stop by and check them out while visiting the Queen City!

First Financial Bank – 435 Sycamore Street Cincinnati, OH 45202

Author’s own project photos, photography by Corporate Photo Group

Located in downtown Cincinnati, this contemporary micro-branch features on-street access and public frontage in the First Financial Center corporate headquarters which doesn’t have a lobby branch. This location is only 890 square feet with two sit down teller pods, a private office, and a waiting area. The ATM and night deposit are in the main entrance lobby space that can be separated for 24-hour access. With full height glass doors, this results in an ATM only area offering “after business hours” banking with entrance granted via the customer’s ATM card. This branch is a great example of the use of branded environmental graphics that are visible from the public streets through exterior glass walls, conveying brand consistency amongst other Cincinnati locations and solidifying the First Financial brand within the Cincinnati market. This micro-branch concept works well when affiliated with a Main Office that doesn’t perform transaction based activities, but is instrumental in increasing your branch network while decreasing the footprint size. If you are seeking to lessen the number of branch staff, as well as operating costs, this may be a good direction for your bank, but you must also be willing to consider technology implementation.

Northside Bank & Trust Co. – 2739 Madison Road Cincinnati, OH 45209

Located within an urban, trendy, and revitalized area in close proximity to downtown Cincinnati (Hyde Park), this branch features two teller pods manned by Universal Bankers to provide a personalized banking experience. Also incorporated is the use of vibrant colors and environmental graphics to cater to the local younger demographic, and walkability of the neighborhood. There is even a dog-friendly space within the branch, which illustrates the concept of designing the space around the community experience, as well as catering to the unique demographics of each branch within a network. This branch transformation concept can work in urban as well as rural areas that are pedestrian friendly, and supports commercial development efforts of attracting in new millennial businesses.

Forcht Bank – 502 Madison Ave. Covington, KY 41011

Author’s own project photos, photography by Bella Photographics

This Forcht Bank loan production office is a renovated building at the site of Covington’s former Greyhound Bus station, and the bank’s first location in Kenton County. This location features full height glass walls and doors surrounding the offices to create an open and inviting environment, and the use of Environmental Graphics visible from the busy public street. The design challenges included working with and preserving the original tin pan ceiling, as well as designing to fit within a long and narrow space. It was also important to tie the design of this new facility and partner the Forcht Bank legacy to that of the historic Madison district in Covington, while presenting a modern and updated feel. It was a complete departure from the traditional design of other Forcht Bank locations. This non-traditional facility features interactive, open areas for loan processing with all transactions conducted by an Interactive Teller Machine in the front lobby, and all new accounts opened online. The ITM is located in an open full glass vestibule that will allow after-hours access even after the office is closed. This location is a great example of ITM implementation for transactions, while shifting the design of the facility to a more retail oriented space and creating opportunities to cross-sell and promote additional services. In addition, since it is not considered a “branch,” no regulatory approval is necessary. This concept works well in both urban and rural markets, attracting in millennials seeking auto and home loans, and offering the ability to process transactions remotely.

Park National Bank – 3825 Edwards Rd #520 Cincinnati, OH 45209

Author’s own project photos, photography by Corporate Photo Group

This Park National Bank regional office is located on the fourth floor of a multi-tenant office building in the high profile, public area of Rookwood Commons in Cincinnati and is a regional wealth management office. The majority of clients serviced here are business or special accounts, with incorporation of full-service branch banking capabilities built into the front receptionist space and workstation. The branch features open and modern spaces, offices, and conference facilities that veer away from the design of a traditional bank branch. The facility is in a modern building and the surrounding tenants also have updated spaces. The overall design goal was a warm, but modern interior. The design challenge was working within an irregular, long and narrow, “L”- shaped space while also designing for future expansion and to accommodate added services and an expanding client base. The blue corporate color was featured and this branch will be considered a leader for future prototypical development. This branch illustrates how the concept of additional fee based services can be combined with some transactional capabilities. This concept is best applied when centrally located to areas with a large concentration of high net worth, in older and more established communities.

As Community Banks begin the arduous process of rethinking their branch network and the distribution of their services, they need to consider new and different approaches to traditional banking concepts to differentiate themselves. Whether considering a new location, expanding into a new market, or repurposing an existing branch; it is time to get creative and innovative to adapt branches to the demographic markets they serve. At the forefront of these branch transformation strategies are brand consistency, focusing the design around the community experience, shifting the design to be more retail-oriented, and creating environments to encourage people to come in. Although the banks mentioned in these articles are located in more urban areas, these concepts can be applied to almost any market if you are willing to get creative and accept the challenge of stepping outside of your comfort zone.

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PANTONE COLOR OF THE YEAR 2024 IN CORPORATE OFFICE INTERIOR DESIGN

By Jeff Klump • 20 Dec, 2023

In the dynamic world of corporate office interiors, staying ahead of design trends is crucial to creating spaces that not only inspire productivity but also reflect the latest aesthetic sensibilities. As a firm specializing in corporate office design, K4 embraces Pantone's Color of the Year for 2024 - Peach Fuzz. This warm and inviting hue offers a fresh perspective on creating contemporary workspaces that balance sophistication and comfort and an opportunity to infuse sophistication, and a touch of modernity into the corporate design landscape. Peach Fuzz, a delicate and nuanced shade blending peach and blush, brings a sense of tranquility and optimism to any space. When incorporated into corporate office interiors, this color has the power to redefine the atmosphere, promoting a positive and collaborative environment. K4 is committed to enhancing the workplace experience, and we recognize the significance of color in influencing mood and productivity.

FACILITY DESIGN FOR RECRUITMENT AND RETENTION

By Jeff Klump • 07 Nov, 2023

In the dynamic landscape of community banking, where the strength of relationships is paramount, the role of design extends beyond aesthetics—it becomes a strategic catalyst for talent acquisition and retention. In an era where attracting and retaining top talent is pivotal for organizational success, the significance of an intentionally designed workspace cannot be overstated. In this article, we delve into how strategic design decisions can not only enhance the physical environment but also foster a culture of engagement, innovation, and long-term commitment among employees, contributing to relationship building and the overall prosperity of community banks. Join K4 on this journey through the intersection of design and community banking, where the blueprint for success lies in the spaces we create for those who make our banks the heart of the community.

THE JOURNEY TO BRAND CONSISTENCY: PART II UNIFYING PHYSICAL & DIGITAL MARKETING ASSETS IN THE BANKING INDUSTRY

By Nicole DeRogatis • 07 Nov, 2023

In the previously published Journey to Brand Consistency: Part I, K4 addressed Facilities, Marketing & People as the three pieces that comprise the Financial Success Puzzle for community banks. This article examines one level deeper in unifying physical and digital marketing assets within the Financial Success Puzzle, and the importance of creating a harmonious and powerful brand identity across all platforms. In the fast-paced and ever-evolving community banking industry, maintaining a strong and recognizable brand presence is vital for success. As a full-service design and branding firm working closely with community banks, we have witnessed the transformative power of consistent marketing assets in bridging the gap between the physical and digital realms. By solidifying the customer experience across all touchpoints, banking institutions can establish a stronger emotional connection with their customers and create a lasting impact on their success. Investing in brand consistency is not only a strategic move but also a reflection of a bank's commitment to their own stability and future growth.

THE JOURNEY TO BRAND CONSISTENCY: HOW FACILITIES, MARKETING & PEOPLE CREATE THE FINANCIAL SUCCESS PUZZLE

By Jeff Klump • 07 Nov, 2023

Now more than ever, brand consistency is of utmost importance to financial institutions. Creating brand consistency goes a long way in building brand trust, increasing customer/employee/community loyalty, and impacting your bottom line. Why is there so much brand inconsistency in the community banking landscape? Because being brand consistent requires change and commitment, and it can be tedious and expensive. Taking the first step is often overwhelming. Where do you start? What do you update first? These are excellent questions, but there are other important questions to consider. What is the cost of NOT getting brand consistent or what is the cost or potential loss of creating brand confusion? Inconsistencies are costing your bank time and money. Not practicing brand consistency will cost you significant consequences to customer experience, brand reputation, and overall loss of trust – all of which can impact your bottom line. Conflicting brand usage accounts for a damage to brand credibility, making it harder to compete in the market. As K4 gets ready to hit the road in 2023, presenting at various community banking conferences on this topic, we thought it was important to preamble this timely subject of the Financial Success Puzzle. At K4, we define the Financial Success Puzzle as a 3-piece formula to creating and maintaining brand consistency for community banks. This formula is simply the act of connecting people to place and connecting brand identity to place. Many retailers have capitalized on this concept for years. Your branch facilities, marketing & people MUST work together to create stability and not only that…they must be triplets, not just siblings. They can’t just resemble one another; they need to be nearly identical in their delivery.

MAKING ROOM FOR THE COMMUNITY

By Jeff Klump • 08 Dec, 2022

For decades, small town business districts across America have featured a strong physical presence from a local bank perspective. Near the courthouse or city hall, these buildings are often identified by their traditional columns and prominent facades of brick or stone. Not only do these structures help establish the fabric of the streetscape; they often contribute to defining the social framework of the residing individuals and neighborhoods, supporting the hopes and dreams of generations. Community banks need to continue to reinforce their presence and values to those individuals and businesses in the geographic areas they serve. Making your bank’s physical appearance memorable, builds brand awareness and offers an opportunity to reinforce the benefits of banking locally which includes working with trusted friends and neighbors. Many community banks are exploring ways to create community space by revitalizing main offices and branch experiences while positioning themselves as a valuable and integral local resource.

SAME RETAIL BRANCH, DIFFERENT CUP OF JOE? THINK AGAIN!

By Jeff Klump • 07 Nov, 2022

Let’s first explore how the definition of the coffee shop has evolved…from simply being a beverage offered at a restaurant to an actual stand-alone destination, service and experience that provides and encourages co-working space, meeting opportunities, and community gathering.