Community bank redesigned to appear more 'inviting'.

A branch redesign in Alabama illustrates three recent trends in configuration designed to make the bank seem more "inviting" and "customer-service oriented."

The Exchange Bank of Alabama (assets: $211 million), Gadsden, Ala., recently decided to remodel the Gadsden branch, which is the main bank facility (there are four other locations). The bank facility is part of a larger building that also houses XBA Financial Services, Gadsden Mortgage Services and the bank's corporate offices.

Three of the new features included:

* A separate seating lounge and coffee bar for consumer and business banking lines.

* A separate area for customers to conduct online banking as well as to receive training on the use of online services.

* A wall in the building's atrium dedicated to automation. The wall includes an express deposit drop, a coin exchange, and a full-service ATM that accepts deposits, offers withdrawals and sells postage stamps.

In conjunction with the redesign, the bank also created a new logo, which consists of the green color that has been associated with the bank for many years and a new platinum color to indicate the bank's dedication to the highest level of services. The intersection of the green and platinum, particularly interwoven in the "EXB" illustrate a blend of the bank's history and commitment to service, reinforcing the bank's tagline of "Strength. Growth. Vision."

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The redesign included the addition of a concierge station where customers are greeted upon entering the bank. The bank also introduced video screens to display digital merchandising. The new logo is highlighted behind the teller line and applied to select glass wall areas.

The redesign was done by IBT, Norcross, Ga., a financial services industry design, construction and consulting firm.