Ushering a new era of banking: Credit union launches new design By Melanie Franner
T
he days of boring financial institutions may very well be behind us. On January 8, 2018, Coastal Community Credit Union (CCCU) unveiled what the future of banking could like at the official opening of their newest branch in Eagle Creek Village in View Royal. The 2,500-square-foot facility, in the mixed-use hub adjacent to Victoria General Hospital, has been designed to offer a more intimate and welcoming banking experience with the added benefits of the latest in banking technology. “The branch was designed on the premise that we would move away from a transactional environment of teller lines to one that promotes conversation,” explains Kel Koutecky, senior manager, premises, CCCU. “We want to create an environment that encourages the development of more meaningful relationships with our members.” Tech-savvy The Eagle Creek Village location is the latest addition to CCCU’s growing list of 24 credit union branches throughout Vancouver
Island and the Gulf Islands. This full-service branch offers customized advice in personal and business banking, insurance and wealth management and innovative solutions that help members and clients improve their financial health. “One of the more interesting features inherent in the new model is the replacement of traditional teller stations with defined areas,” says Koutecky. “We’ve incorporated Wi-Fi into the premises to provide our experts with the flexibility to move around the space more freely with their tablets, and still access the banking system.” A series of smaller but still defined spaces are scattered throughout the open space, which is outfitted with a central concierge desk. “We’ve used acoustic insulation and barriers which provides a high level of privacy to our members and clients when meeting with our employees to discuss their financial and insurance needs,” adds Koutecky. Another innovative element of the design is the interactive teller machine. The ITM operates as an ATM but also offers two-way video, which connects members to an expert based in CCCU’s Relationship
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