Even after a decade of rationalisation, branch networks need to get smarter about location and format to meet the needs of their customers in the digital age.
However, nearly three-quarters of consumers still visit the high street, shopping centres and retail parks to access banks and financial services*, and our new research suggests that demand for bank branches is forecast to increase in 56% of locations. The high street therefore represents a new opportunity for Britain's banks and building societies to create an integrated multi-channel environment if approached in the right way.
Based on analysis of over 10,000 branches of nearly 100 retail banks and building societies, Bricks and clicks explores how factors such as population, demographics and the local economy, both current and forecasted, affect customers' banking needs.
Our findings suggest that branches are indeed poised for a renaissance – but perhaps not in their current numbers or formats – and that bank locations now fall into seven key micro-markets which paint a new picture of consumer demands for products and services. Understanding these micro-markets is the essential first step to creating the ideal network footprint and significantly reducing cost-to-income ratios.
This report has been written for the benefit of senior banking executives. If you would like to request a copy, please register your interest.
* Statistic taken from the Deloitte Consumer Review, November 2013
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