Come In, sit down, stay awhile. (Marketing News).

Question of the month, courtesy of Frank Hoell, executive vice president and chief operating officer of LibertyBank in Eugene, Ore.:

"Where is it written that teller counters have to be made of plywood and laminate?"

If you've followed our coverage of bank lobby design trends in previous issues, you probably know the answer. Hoell's answer: It isn't written anywhere. Make 'em of anything you want. He made them like glass department store showcases. Inside the showcases he offers "money-related" merchandise Like currency converters, books about structuring your assets for retirement, wallets and financial planning software.

And why stop there? Why not comfortable chairs and sofas, computer terminals, stock-quote displays, a retail-oriented color scheme of greens and golds, reds and yellows. Maybe carpets with the bank's logo inlaid in the design.

"We were looking for a 'wow' factor," Hoell says. An upscale retail look. "We don't expect to sell as much of this merchandise as the local store in the mall or on Main Street, but it adds to the image."

Liberty also is trying to eliminate what Hoell calls the "as the crow flies" approach, in which a customer enters the bank, goes straight to the teller window or safe deposit box, and then goes straight out. To accomplish this end, the new design eliminates most right angles and straight lines, opting instead for curves and other features that encourage the customer to linger awhile. "We want them to think of this bank as a place to come to," he says.

So far, LibertyBank has opened one remodeled branch, in Grants Pass, Ore. Two more are scheduled to open after the first of the year, in Bend, Ore., and the home office in downtown Eugene. Eventually, all eight branches will get the makeover treatment.

What's the downside of this overhaul? Hoell doesn't see a downside. LibertyBank was founded in 1983 as a thrift institution. Until recently, it didn't even offer checking accounts. They started from a point of zero visibility.

"This is just phase three of a plan to get on people's radar screens," he says.