New branch to be ‘relationship banking center’
Teller transactions at Erie General Electric FCU’s newest branch will be conducted “at ‘teller pods,’ where members and employees can communicate openly without the barrier of a counter,” according to the CU Times.
Other branch features:
- Two stories
- 18,000 square feet
- Flat screen TVs
- Electronic sign-in pad
- Full children’s play area with video game systems
- Fireplace
- Refreshment station
In an illustration on the credit union’s website, you can see the member lounge featuring a fireplace and large, flat screen TV. A recessed ceiling in the waiting area helps visually define the space, while a protruded ‘soffit‘ helps define the welcome desk.
The branch’s paths are carpeted, while the dwell zones are hardwood. Many financial institutions do the opposite: put hard surfaces in high-traffic areas, partly because they are easier to clean when they get dirty (as they will often).
Because hard surfaces reflect sound, carpet is commonly used to increase audio-absorbency in spaces requiring more privacy. Carpet is also more comfortable to stand on than hard surfaces, which can encourage prolonged engagement in sales and services zones.
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