CScout: Citibank has opened two new branches in central Tokyo which function as much as educational and exploratory spaces for users, as regular banking outlets.
The two branches are in the heart of the city’s money district, Marunouchi and Nihonbashi, and are part of a new development campaign two years in the making called Smart Banking. Insider, visitors can interact with a large Media Wall screen displaying weather and news from Reuters, as well as market updates. A non-interactive one also displays information on the outside of the building.
Rather than the usual large numbers of ATMs in most Japanese bank branches, there are only two each in the new Citibank ones, though they have TV video link-up with remote staff. Customers can communicate with them to complete transactions or ask for assistance. There are, however, many Work Bench units, flat touch-screens with chairs and keyboards, though which you can open accounts or apply for credit cards. Likewise there are cameras to communicate with remote staff, though someone in the branch itself will come to you to collect items needed to finish applications, such as ID. There are also private consulting rooms as well for talking with staff.
Citibank Seeks To Win Customers Through New Spaces [Cscout]