Here is a collection of fascinating and innovative retail branch concepts from banks and credit unions — nearly 100 photos of a dozen different projects spanning the globe, from the U.S., Australia, Canada, France, Sweden, Japan, Poland, South Africa, Brazil, Bulgaria and Slovakia.

Westpac – Chalkboard Community

This Westpac branch design in Sydney is part of a cultural change to bring banking “back to a local level.” To create community connections at a local level, the design uses three different material palettes. Each palette is specific to the branch’s context — city, suburban or regional — while respecting the history and individuality of each branch building. The Kent Street branch shown here, designed by Landini & Associates, uses the ‘city’ palette.

The unusual chalkboard signage (what Westpac calls“conversation starters”) has also been used by State Farm in a crazy, cool community-centric “store” design.