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SPC Credit Union – Branching for the Future

SPC Credit Union Introduces New Branch Approach to Florence

LEVEL5 recently celebrated the grand opening for SPC Credit Union’s New Florence Branch. The branch is the Credit Union’s first opportunity to introduce a retail-focused approach to banking for its membership and community.

Linda Weatherford, President and CEO stated, “We are excited about what we’ve accomplish in this branch. Our focus was first to create a branch that is warm and inviting, so we could introduce a new approach to branching. In Florence, the demographics skew younger, so we wanted to create an experience that would appeal to them through the use of design elements, branding and technology.”

The Florence Branch (shown below) is a departure from traditional banking. Instead a of a teller line, the Credit Union choose to deploy a pod environment. By eliminating physical barriers, the Credit Union is creating more opportunities for face-to-face conversation with its consumers. The Credit Union’s brand message of “Banking with a Heart” is layered throughout the experience.

Mrs. Weatherford continued, “We believe that nothing replaces sitting down with a member to establish trust. The value of LEVEL5 is their team truly understands what works in the design-build of branches. Their team brought together all the design, branding, technology and training (with the construction), so that we can embrace branching for the future.”

Watch the Florence Branch come to life below:

To learn how we can help you redefine your brand experience in your branch, contact us today:

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Is the Fox Guarding the Hen House?

“Very cool.” “Incredible!” “This doesn’t look like a bank.”

Showing the world that a traditional bank doesn’t have to feel like one, today’s financial institutions are finding new ways to wow customers. So much so, it seems like the “design” in most building plans should come first and foremost. To that we say, “slow your roll.”  

How to build a better bank.

Actually, maybe the statement should be revised to “How to build a bank better.” In its simplest terms, every branch or main office project has an owner, a designer and a general contractor. From there are two models to compare:

  1. Design-Bid-Build (aka “Old School”) – This is the traditional model, where the architect and builder are separate. The architect creates a set of blueprints independent of the contractor. It’s on the owner to submit bids and determine who is right for the project.
  1. Design-Build (aka “New School”) – The more modern approach. This is where the owner hires one firm to be responsible for design and construction. This model maximizes value (Download White Paper) and eliminates the owner as the middle man.

Two kinds of Design-Builders

1 – In-House Design (Design Led) – Not all design-builders are the same. Some have design in-house and others don’t. Firms with in-house designers (on staff) lead with design, and not construction. For banks and credit unions this can introduce risk into the equation – especially when cost is king. Risk is not starting the project with a budget. Risk is using the same designers for all projects. Risk is more costly projects.

All firms charge their client overhead costs. Overhead of the business (indirect overhead), which would include costly designers, as well as direct overhead for the project (cost to do the work). These firms also charge a design fee. Sounds a lot like the Fox is now “in” the Hen House.

2 – Out-Source Design (Construction Led) – Design-builders who outsource design are construction led firms. Research shows less than 15% of the total cost of a branch is branding, furniture, fixtures and equipment. So, the key cost buckets are the non-sexy components that no one sees.

By outsourcing design, the cost of the project is lower. Only the cost of the designer (design fee) is assigned to the project. So, there is no double-dip on overhead and design fee. Moreover, by leading with construction, the budget for the project is preserved. The budget is the north star and is what defines what happens next. In this way, designers can be free (freed knowing the budget) to create “beginning with the end in mind”.

Beware of Wolves in Sheep’s Clothing

Jim Collins in his revolutionary book “Good to Great” characterized great companies as those that focus on their hedgehog concept. Few design-builders, who specialize in banks and credit unions, grew up in construction – it is not their hedgehog. Some of these firms grew up as bank equipment firms, others focus on branding, and nearly all lead with design aesthetic. These firms are not vanguards of budget and branch performance, because it is not in their DNA. They cannot offer what they don’t have.

At LEVEL5, we are a construction-led design-build firm who incorporates data, local market knowledge, and expert site selection to maximize your return on investment. We understand that lowering risk is in on the minds of banks and credit unions night and day.

This is not just our opinion, but the testimony of banks and credit unions across the country. What else is keeping them up at night? Listen to what they have to say in these videos and decide if we are the right fit for you:

Video Story

USE Credit Union | Branch Transformation

USE Credit Union “Extra-Ordinary” Branch Transformation in La Mesa

USE Credit Union engaged LEVEL5 to design-build the Credit Union’s newest branch in La Mesa, CA in 2017. The now completed branch follows the Credit Union’s continued commitment to provide an extra-ordinary experience to its membership and community.

“The face of member service continues to evolve, driving efficiency and engagement in the branch,” stated Jon Calvert, Regional Director for LEVEL5. “USE is embracing the next wave of branch automation utilizing Glory’s TellerInfinity technology. We are excited how this newest tool will benefit the Credit Union’s membership.”

The new La Mesa branch is located at 8200 Parkway Drive in the heart of La Mesa’s commercial district. The Credit Union occupied an end-cap and the branch is approximately 2,800 square feet. The branch experience is a function first approach layered with technology as an accelerator for the business.

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“While consumers have many options for how they do their banking, the branch still serves an important role.  At our La Mesa branch, we wanted to engage our members and the community by creating an extra-ordinary experience,“ said Billie Cardenas, Vice President, Retail & Marketing.  “We chose LEVEL5 for our La Mesa branch relocation because they understood our desire for relationship deepening, coupled with new automation tools. They are unrivaled experts at bringing together all components in the design-build of credit union facilities.”

USE decided to embrace TellerInfinity because this tool does not drive members away from the branch, but seeks to automate routine components of the branch experience. With the time-save efficiencies allowed through this technology, the Credit Union’s team can devote even more time solving problems, building relationships and investing in the lives of its membership.

Jim Harris, CEO of USE added, “New technology combined with a more inviting branch environment is changing financial services and improving the member experience. We’re excited to introduce this new concept in branch design and execution made possible through our partnership with LEVEL5.”

Jetstream FCU | Micro Branch

Doral Branch is 2nd Branch Project with LEVEL5

LEVEL5 is pleased to announce that Jetstream Federal Credit Union has awarded our firm a second Micro Branch design-build project this time in Doral, FL. Jeanne Kucey, President and CEO of Jetstream stated, “LEVEL5 completed a Micro Branch for us in Miami Lakes, Florida in 2015. Their experience in design and construction is quite evident in that facility. We have a beautiful facility to serve our members. The project in Doral has an extremely short time duration and LEVEL5 was chosen because of their capabilities to get us where we need to be and also to build a first class facility for our members in Doral. There was only one choice for us and that was to use the best and that is LEVEL5.”

“I couldn’t be happier or more proud of our design/construction team” said Mike Colvin, Executive Vice President / Principal of LEVEL5.  “They are being challenged with a tight deadline and have moved forward swiftly with an excellent design and process to enable our client to meet their stated goal. The ultimate sign of client satisfaction and confidence is additional business, and we are excited to work with the Jetstream team again in 2016.

Micro Branches are the next big thing for FIs. What is a Micro Branch? This article should help:

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New Retail Branch for Bossier FCU

Company Continues to Be a Leader in Financial Institution Facilities

LEVEL5 has completed the design-build and branding of Bossier Federal Credit Union’s new Haughton, Louisiana branch.  The new 3,000 square foot branch is conveniently located at 100 Mid South Loop in Haughton, which is a rapidly growing community just outside of Bossier City.  The branch has two drive through lanes and a dedicated drive up ATM lane with night depository.

The branch has a contemporary look and feel and offers high-touch personalized financial services to its members.  Jim Perkins, President and CEO of Bossier FCU said, “LEVEL5 has created a wonderful environment for our members and staff.  The branch is everything we hoped it would be.  Everyone loves it!”

Mr. Perkins said, “We chose LEVEL5 to design-build and brand our new Haughton branch because of the company’s depth and breadth of knowledge, and experience in retail branches.  LEVEL5 understands how to integrate new technology and methods of delivering financial services into retail branches that allows us to cost effectively deliver a higher quality of personal service to our members.”

“LEVEL5 exclusively works with community-based financial institutions like Bossier FCU across the country.  It is the trust and confidence that these institutions place in LEVEL5 that allows us to continue to be leaders in the design-build and branding of financial facilities across the country,” said LEVEL5’s Mike Colvin, Executive Vice President and Principal.

The view more images of this project click, HERE!

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