KeyBank cashes in on virtual branch by FRCH

KeyBank of Washington is trialing a virtual bank branch featuring video games and an electronic hostess. The project is the first design work by New York group FRCH Design Worldwide for the bank.

The futuristic stand-alone bank, aimed at the younger audience, is currently being piloted at the KeyArena sports and concerts venue in Seattle. “KeyBank is trying to customise its bank branches for different markets,” says an FRCH spokesman.

KeyCorner operates without any staff on site and offers most of the services found at a traditional bank branch, including opening an account and organising a loan, KeyBank claims.

The consultancy created Maxine, a video hostess who “disarms customers with her in-your-face comic routines”, says the FRCH spokesman.

“We gave Maxine an outrageous personality to make sure she would grab the attention of people passing through the arena,” says consultancy vice-president and design principal Joan Donnelly.

The backdrops and panels around the ATM constantly change colour, which is reflected in the brushed aluminium units housing the games monitors.

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