Coventry Building Society is reinforcing its commitment to the physical channel via a
significant branch investment programme designed to transform its branch network. The Coventry’s Matt Mannings tells Douglas Blakey that the human touch is at the heart of the new look, with greater interaction between employees and members
Coventry Building Society’s branch network is enjoying a major redesign to create a more spacious, relaxed and friendly feel.
Go deeper with GlobalData
The design has been rolled out in seven of its 70 branches, including Leicester city centre and Birmingham’s Corporation Street, with other branches to follow in the coming months and years ahead.
As RBI reported in November, UK bank and building society branch closures this year total 682 outlets. With almost 1,200 branch closures in 2017, one in five branches have closed in the past two years.
Since the first issue of RBI went to print in 1981, some two-thirds of UK branches have been shuttered with around 14,000 branches closing in the interim. The UK ends 2018 with less than 7,500 branches in total.
Coventry Building Society, the country’s third-largest society by assets and the fourthlargest by number of branches, firmly believes there is value in bucking the wider branchclosing trend.
How well do you really know your competitors?
Access the most comprehensive Company Profiles on the market, powered by GlobalData. Save hours of research. Gain competitive edge.
Thank you!
Your download email will arrive shortly
Not ready to buy yet? Download a free sample
We are confident about the unique quality of our Company Profiles. However, we want you to make the most beneficial decision for your business, so we offer a free sample that you can download by submitting the below form
By GlobalDataMatt Mannings, head of branch network at Coventry, tells RBI that the society is fully committed to maintaining its current branch network.
“While other banks and building societies are closing branches at an alarming rate, we’re investing heavily in our network,” he explains.
“Our multimillion-pound investment will ensure that we continue to meet the needs of our members and the local communities in which we serve.
“Our focus for our 70-strong network will continue to be people, with technology there to help provide the human touch, not replace it. Branches matter to savers, and we want to encourage more people to save more for their futures by continuing to offer great value over the long term.”
Allen International
The new-look branch has been designed in partnership with design specialist allen international, part of the Accenture Group. James White, design director at allen international, tells RBI:
“The success of any partnership stems from the client clearly articulating the desire for change, and then working together to define a differentiating but appropriate design.
“It has been very clear from the start that the Coventry team have a natural understanding of who they are, the needs of their members and the important role their staff play in the communities they serve.
“It has been a pleasure to help shape a new experience that showcases the society’s warmth of service, the care it shows both colleagues and members, and a design that creates a welcoming and relaxing environment.”
