.Myth 1: More digital transactions means fewer human interactions in physical channels
Contrary to what digital banking advocates assume, consumers’ preference for mobile devices does not reduce their desire for human interactions in physical channels. According to the Ernst & Young Global Consumer Banking Survey and Market Force Information Survey,consumers’ use of digital channels actually increases human interaction in physical channels.
It’s true that more consumers prefer mobile devices to check account balances, make account transfers and deposit checks. But they also prefer to visit their traditional branches to get cash, pay bills, open accounts, establish credit, apply for loans and resolve issues with their accounts.
REALITY: More digital transactions also means more branch visits and calls.
Myth 2: Closing branches improves profitability
Convenient branch access remains crucial when consumers and small business owners select with whom they bank. A recent consumer survey by Bain and Company clearly shows how branch closures impact customer loyalty. According to the study, nearly 40 percent of U.S. customers who experienced a branch closure took their business to other banks.
Granted, closing branches and reducing staff will reduce operating expenses. Yet forcing customers to use digital channels will also drive a sizeable percentage of customers to other banks. Human interactions still serve as the primary source of cross-selling and referrals—and without them, loyal, high-intensity customers will defect, limiting the opportunity for growth and profits over time.
REALITY: Closing certain locations in declining markets will likely improve profits. But closing branches without predictive modeling and analysis will hurt long-term profits because it will drive away the most loyal and profitable customers.
Myth 3: More in-branch technology means more customer convenience
Automating teller transactions, migrating customers to self-service or assisted self-service technologies remain popular branch transformation strategies for improving operational efficiency. Software tools for digital appointment booking and lobby management are also popular technologies intended to improve the quality of customer interactions with frontline staff.
But not all consumers are interested solely in self-service or new technology. For some, convenience is the personal service they get from branch staff who know them by name.
Technology doesn’t stand on its own. Contrary to popular wisdom, even younger, more tech-savvy customers say they appreciate the opportunity to talk with someone to learn how to use new technology.
REALITY: Self-service and technology means convenience when and where consumers prefer to use it. The benefits of branch technologies are realized when they’ve been successfully integrated into the customer experience with the assistance and interaction of branch staff.
Myth 4: Tellers are no longer needed in branches
There is no question banks must reconsider how tellers are deployed given the changing nature of customer interactions in branches and the declining customer visits. Still, the need for tellers continues to exist and will for some time.
According to a recent Kiran Analytics workforce strategies survey, prudent banking leaders are evolving staffing strategy around tellers. They continue to deploy full-time tellers in traditional branches with large transaction volumes. They deploy part-timers in minimally staffed branches to handle peak transaction periods. And, they retrain tellers to become universal associates, where customer demands require skills to handle teller transactions as well as provide customer or banker services.
REALITY: Many branches still enjoy sufficient transaction volumes where it makes sense to deploy full-time tellers. And when the volume of weekly transactions doesn’t justify full-time tellers, there is still the need for part-time tellers or universal associates with teller skills.
Smart banking executives rely on their own data and advanced analytics to drive branch transformation. They offer consumers multi-channel experiences and a mix along the continuum of self-service and personal service. They know that a face-to-face interaction with a pleasant, capable teller is far more likely to delight a customer and build loyalty than any digital or self-service interaction.
Using the right technology in branches presents opportunities for human interaction. Banks that strive to build stronger relationships with customers are making tech savvy staff available to discuss new technology with customers.
Through piercing these four myths, one salient truth emerges: For all the speculation as to how branches themselves will transform, it remains clear that customers who declare their loyalty, and bring in their business, have undergone a branch transformation of a different kind.
Source: Kerim Tumay
