Credit union ups the ante on customer friendly branches
(21 June 2006 – Australia) NSW based Community First Credit Union (Community First) has attempted to steal a march on traditional banks by opening new "totally customer centric" boutique finance "stores".
According to Community First, the stores will provide "an alternative customer experience more akin to shopping than traditional banking" and include "a juke box and coffee".
The first of these stores will open in Macarthur Square, Campbelltown on 24 June with the second due to open a week later at Westfield Liverpool.
The stores have been described as looking "like a mix between a café and a boutique store…with concierge service, comfortable waiting areas and chat booths for more in-depth discussions with Community First consultants".
"At any typical bank branch the experience is usually transactional and often stressful. The Community First store concept is aligned to a relaxed, shopping experience underpinned by strong customer service," chief executive officer John Tancevski said.
He said fulfilling personal or business needs did not have to be a negative experience and the point of these new stores was to ensure customers had an "enjoyable experience."
The stores will remain open for longer hours than traditional banks, operating 9am to 7pm, Monday to Wednesday, Thursday 9am to 9pm, and 9am to 5pm, Friday and Saturday.
Community First has more than 51,000 members, seven financial service stores and more than $600 million in assets under management.
The first of these stores will open in Macarthur Square, Campbelltown on 24 June with the second due to open a week later at Westfield Liverpool.
The stores have been described as looking "like a mix between a café and a boutique store…with concierge service, comfortable waiting areas and chat booths for more in-depth discussions with Community First consultants".
"At any typical bank branch the experience is usually transactional and often stressful. The Community First store concept is aligned to a relaxed, shopping experience underpinned by strong customer service," chief executive officer John Tancevski said.
He said fulfilling personal or business needs did not have to be a negative experience and the point of these new stores was to ensure customers had an "enjoyable experience."
The stores will remain open for longer hours than traditional banks, operating 9am to 7pm, Monday to Wednesday, Thursday 9am to 9pm, and 9am to 5pm, Friday and Saturday.
Community First has more than 51,000 members, seven financial service stores and more than $600 million in assets under management.
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