Finance shop: Bank design gets right-brained

Banks have been trying to be seen as stores for some time, but a new generation of financial shops are proving that walking into a bank can be a pleasant experience, such as the new CheBanca! concept from Milan.

While most banks are increasing the rapidity of high street banking methods, such as reducing the number of cashiers in favour of machines, designers are realising that certain customer queries need more personal attention. Crea International has designed an interior for CheBanca!, using a more right-brained creative approach.

The teller counter has been replaced by a central platform, where bank staff can discuss customers’ requirements. Customers can also head straight for the yellow banking booths to do their own banking or chat through further issues with staff in privacy. According to Crea International, the layout of CheBanca! was inspired by the organisation of the solar system – in this case with the client at the centre of it. Look out for branches of other financial service brands taking a leaf out of the retailer’s book, and starting to look to warmer interiors, designed to create a stress-free environment for customers.