BCU Selected as Future Branches Innovator Finalist for Outstanding Branch Design
December 1, 2019
Worldwide Business Research (WBR), the
world’s leading producer of B2B focused marketing events, has honored
BCU with an inaugural Future Branches Innovator Award for
Outstanding Branch Design at the annual conference in Austin, TX.
Launched in 2016, the Future Branches conference is dedicated to providing retail banking and credit union executives with the latest strategies and technologies for modernizing and improving the physical branch banking experience, aligning perfectly with BCU’s commitment to providing extraordinary member experiences.
This year marked the commencement of the Future Branches award ceremony. As an inaugural finalist, the Credit Union was thrilled to be recognized for its innovative Tech Drive micro-branch concept at the UnitedHealth Group corporate office located in Eden Prairie, MN.
Situated on 640 square-feet inside a staircase thoroughfare, BCU is able to offer many of the amenities of a full-service branch including a discovery bar for transactions and advisory conversations, flex offices, a technology bar for self-service, and fully functioning ATM machines. As the Credit Union looks ahead into 2020, digital banking will continue to evolve as part of BCU’s strategy. The UHG Tech Drive location is a perfect example that the future of banking is modern.
“Our goal over the last few years has been to design branches that are more accessible for our members and easier for our team to operate. We did this by implementing two main concepts into our branch designs – 24-hour member access and cashless branch operations,” said Dan Cook, senior director of retail branch operations. “Simplification means our team can focus on members’ financial well-being instead of being tied to the branch. This has allowed us to build facilities at sites where it wouldn’t normally be financially viable to build a traditional branch.”
Nominees for the Future Branches award exemplify the true spirit of innovation and transformation. Selected by a panel of independent judges, finalists are recognized for their game-changing and innovative ways of approaching brand transformation.
"The functionality of the modern branch continues to evolve, and banking executives have been tasked with integrating new technologies and experiences to attract and retain members while minimizing cost," said Elizabeth Robillard, senior program director of Future Branches. "Our finalists have demonstrated the leadership and commitment to generating ROI while providing their members with a superior in-branch experience.”
The Future Branches announcement follows multiple industry awards for the Credit Union this year, including a CUNA Award for Excellence in Operations and Member Experience, and Best-in-State Credit Union nomination by Forbes.