By Julian Goldsmith, 5 January 2009 17:14
Barclays has revealed a new branch showcasing the latest in high-tech banking.
The emphasis at the new branch in London's Piccadilly Circus, which opened in late December, is self service and interactivity supported by a slew of technology.
According to a Barclays spokeswoman, the branch is a response to a general trend within banking to adopt the customer service attitudes of top retailers and takes concept cues from the Apple store in nearby Regent Street.
Photo credit: Julian Goldsmith/silicon.com
Comments
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1. Horace Knight
Phew, it took until photo 10 to see a real person instead of rows of metal boxes. I wonder if they will next think of putting managers in branches, someone you get to know and can actually make decisions. I speak as one who refuses to use the atm outside our branch and goes in to draw out cash, usually at the same time as paying in cheques.
2. Jason
Yeah, looks lovely.
Now, if they can just manage to clear a cheque or indeed even an electronic funds transfer in less than 3 business days... I will be really impressed....
3. Roger Huffadine
I can see a load of ATMs with no queue control - so I'm guessing that the normal 'scrum' conditions will prevail - especially as it is only the Brits who will queue without barriers.
If there are long queues why deploy staff with portable terminals - stick them behind counters to service the queue, if there are not enough counters for peak periods then sack the designer and get some more.
Looks like the marketing department screwed around with the operational side of a business again :(
4. Carole Railton
As a customer of Barclays Bank I was keen to try out this new branch as it is next to my gym and I thought would a handy addition.
Its great having technology, hence my membership of this newsletter and my love of Apple equipment. So I entered this branch with a keenness, only to be disapointed.
The staff do not listen to the questions you ask, and when I keyed in my number all my account details were on the enlarged screen for everyone in the area to see. Not happy with this I spoke to a member of staff who had no interest.... The bank of the future, surely will listen to its customers?
5. Chris
When ours opened in Liverpool last year we expected the media to give this response but it is in the North, I don't think it's the Piccadilly in Manchester either!!!
est..