IDEA BANK LAUNCHED IDEA HUB, A NEW-GENERATION BANK BRANCH

Idea Bank launched an experimental bank branch designed with a view to meeting its corporate clients’ needs. Idea Hub provides plenty of space to work, enjoy a cup of coffee or hold a business meeting. Through this revolutionary project Idea Bank wants to prove that, as long as they do not double e-banking functions, innovative bank branches may still attract customers and teem with life.

The name of Idea Bank’s new branch captures its essence, as the place combines a variety of functions. Most of the space available has been dedicated to entrepreneurs, who are invited to take full advantage of the co-working area and the bookable conference rooms. The remaining part of the branch consists of showrooms, mainly intended for entrepreneurship training sessions and meetings with the bank’s representatives.

Idea Bank’s clients, mostly small-business owners, will find Idea Hub a comfortable place to work, as it has been provided with all the necessary office facilities (printers, scanners, copiers) and unlimited Wi-fi. What’s more, the experimental branch offers business TV, daily updated economic press and free coffee. It also features a fully equipped conference room, bookable via a dedicated app and perfect for holding a business meeting. A team of specially trained baristas takes care of both the pleasant atmosphere and good working conditions.

Idea Hub’s targeted guests are Polish entrepreneurs, especially sole proprietors, who lack a permanent office and work remotely from some overcrowded town-centre coffee shops, where they also meet with their clients and contractors. They do not consider using the paid co-working centres, usually located on the outskirts of the city, an interesting alternative.

Dominik Fajbusiewicz, Idea Hub’s originator and Idea Bank board member, believes that this revolutionary project may revitalize the very concept of branch banking.–Idea Hub’s project stands in complete opposition to the current global trend of turning the emptying bank branches into so-called high-tech branches, crammed with electronics, located in shopping malls, and usually just doubling tools already available on mobile devices. I think the only functionalities that may encourage customers to actually visit a branch are those you cannot offer virtually –Mr. Fajbusiewicz explains.

The situation is quite favourable for Idea Bank, whose clients – small business owners – visit bank branches a lot more often than the retail clients do. One reason for this is that they need to deposit their daily income. According to research carried out by Idea Bank, 32% of micro-companies only accept cash transactions, while the remaining 68% combine cash with other kinds of transactions. A survey conducted by PwC and Impactor shows that 66% of SME owners visit their bank at least once a month.

The first Idea Hub can be found at 87 Marszałkowska Street in Warsaw. It is open Mon-Fri 8:00 AM – 8 PM and Sat 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM. The next Idea Bank’s new-generation branches, larger and enriched in further solutions for business, will soon be opened on Polna Street, Warsaw, and then in the next three biggest Polish cities.

Idea Hub’s project and interior design was developed by Iwona Bakuła.