DBS creates lifestyle branch for tech generation
The café and branch concept in action
In a move to attract the tech generation to branches, Singapore’s DBS has launched a “lifestyle space” providing freshly brewed coffee, interactions with humanoid robots and a virtual reality (VR) area for retirement planning.
According to DBS, by utilising the “café and branch” concept, the open spaced layout creates a relaxed atmosphere. With support from Bettr Barista and the DBS Foundation, customers are welcomed by the aroma of freshly brewed coffee at the entrance of the branch.
Designed for the tech generation of today, the space offers a digital experience to meet their banking needs, the bank says.
Pepper, DBS’s humanoid robot
Alongside traditional services including cash deposits and withdrawals, the branch supports video teller machines (VTMs); offering non-cash banking services and “face-to-face” video assistance, a “VR Corner” for virtual retirement planning and an on-site humanoid robot, called Pepper, to offer guidance.
Further to staple itself as more than just a branch, DBS says the new location will also become a social interaction area for student art exhibitions, and monthly latte art and coffee appreciation classes with Bettr Barista. Musical talent is also to be showcased with DBS culminating in the first-ever National Youth Music Awards competition in 2018.
Jeremy Soo, DBS Bank’s head of consumer banking group (Singapore), says: “By reimagining banking, we want to change the impression of what branch banking is for the tech generation – hence offering this new relaxed environment, where banking is woven into our customers’ daily lives”.
DBS says, it currently has 13 VTMs in 12 locations in Singapore and plans to install more than 20 machines by the end of 2017.
