How do you design the branch of the future?

For over sixty years, Island Savings has been serving Vancouver Island with financial services and a community-minded philosophy. When they commissioned Ratio to create their “branch of the future,” we challenged them to reimagine their vision for the future of local credit unions.

Working with our clients, we found a solution that looked beyond design trends and technology for its own sake, and focused on the more important mission of serving member connections and fostering long-term relationships. Even though customers are doing more day-to-day transactions online, the community branch has never been more important. The branch of the future will become a gathering place for citizens to have both private meetings and community forums. A place to conduct meaningful and high-value transactions.

Our work included defining a new operational model and a branch wide re-brand, using theoretical models to forecast requirements across a diverse set of communities, and developing a consistent design concept for all current and future locations. We partnered with branding experts Boyle Design, who created a new corporate identity, as well as all 2D design components and building signage. The redesigned branches utilize regional materials with sustainability in mind. As importantly, they are designed for clarity, transparency and serve as a catalyst for building healthy communities.