Likeable Banking Ideas

Here we list banking ideas which stand out from the crowd and make banking just a little bit more fun.

1. The comical approach

If you find the somewhat sterile approach taken by most banks somewhat boring, check out the website of US online bank Redneck Bank. You won’t find any forced smiles and suits on their “about us” page. This bank’s quirky approach is a simple yet refreshing innovation which adds a great splash of humor. The success of this bank may just hint at what strikes a chord with upcoming bank customers.

2. Free coworking space

What if your bank’s local branch office was also your workplace? The Zürcher Kantonalbank (ZKB) was one of the first Swiss banks to pioneer this concept with its Büro Züri coworking space on Zurich’s Bahnhofstrasse as a complimentary value-added service for its customers. The idea has also been adopted by Swiss banking giant Credit Suisse, which offers its customers complimentary workspaces, conference facilities and event venues at its pilot branch office near the main Zurich train station.

3. Bank/pleasure cruise

Combining work with a pleasure cruise is a totally likeable idea. That explains why the Ahoi pilot project from the Zürcher Kantonalbank for which part of a Lake Zurich cruise boat was converted into a ZKB coworking space got a good response from ZKB customers.

Indonesia’s BRI Bank takes a more practical approach to aquatic banking with its Teras BRI Kapal, a yacht fitted out as a bank branch office. The floating bank provides banking services to residents of islands which do not host permanent bank branches. It provides a workplace for bankers who prefer sailing between coconut beaches to sitting at a desk.

4. Banking cafés

Want to grab a coffee, chill, or sort out your finances? A new range of bank branches in which bank meets coffee shop let you do all of these in one place. Examples in Switzerland include the Zürcher Kantonalbank’s new café concept branches and Bank Cler’s Zak Café service for Zak Plus customers.

5. Vintage banking

The Raiffeisen bank in the German town of Gammesfeld may well be the most and least hipster bank in operation. With a single employee, typewriters, vintage tellers and a history dating back over 100 years, the offline bank is strongly reminiscent of the recently dissolved Krankenkasse Turbenthal – formerly the cheapest Swiss health insurance provider. But unlike the Krankenkasse Turbenthal, the Raiffeisenbank Gammesfeld remains in operation and offers a banking experience reminiscent of days gone by – but only for local residents. 

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