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3 Reasons to LAUNCH: Alignment

We Have Liftoff

LEVEL5 has officially launched our LAUNCH Program.

This program has been specifically designed for the Credit Union and Bank executive who has a clear vision for the next 3-5 years, but is struggling to execute to these goals.

In this article, we discuss the second phase of our LAUNCH Program.

Phase II: Alignment

LAUNCH program

Phase I was the Discover phase, where we got to know each other, but most importantly, discussed current and future states, with goals and objectives laid out, but also discussing what’s been getting in the way of successfully executing to these goals.

In Phase II, we discuss the Alignment of your goals to our services. You did most of the talking in Phase I, now it’s our turn.

We will take the information we discussed, and add insights. We’ll present initial data to add value to our conversations, while also laying down a firm roadmap on how to break through the roadblocks and initiate plans to help you achieve your goals.

Based on relevancy of the need, we’ll recommend paths forward relating to Market Analysis as part of our Strategy service, as well as Site Selection to ensure geographic analysis aligns with available land and buildings in your desired Trade Areas.

Technology is a key strategic component in the branch. We’ll discuss options relating to the right “Tech Fit” across your current and/or future locations.

And finally, we’ll walk you through the Design and Build phases, speaking to budgets and timelines.

When relevant, we’ll also discuss previous efforts in the form of Case Studies, or share insights into current jobs that have relevance to your scenario.

Why LAUNCH At All?

The LEVEL5 LAUNCH Program follows a methodical, yet casual approach to uncovering the critical needs of your Financial Institution. Through a series of easy discussions, our team will be able to capture your goals, but also understand what is getting in the way of you achieving them.

From there, we’ll be able to make actionable recommendations on how to execute to these goals.

To learn more about our LAUNCH Program, and to schedule your first Discover call, Contact Us today to get going.

3 Reasons to LAUNCH: Discover

We Have Liftoff

LEVEL5 is excited to help your FI with your growth initiatives in 2023 and beyond with our LAUNCH Program.

We’ve built this phased approach to assessing and launching your growth strategy around the methodical steps aimed at uncovering the challenges getting in the way of your Credit Union or Bank achieving its objectives and goals.

Phase I: Discover

LAUNCH program discover
Training materials

The first phase in. our LAUNCH Program is called “Discover” – when our relationship will begin with a casual conversation, no more than 30-minutes, where we simply have a chat.

In this discussion, we’ll go over our services and background – but this phase is frankly about you. We’ll want to know about your FI’s history, your place and positioning in the communities you serve, and most importantly, current state versus desired state.

Your “Current State” is where you are today – number of branches, trade areas, assets, branch type mix, and of course, your member/customer base.

Your “Desired State” is where you want to be – expansion plans, asset goals over the next 3-5 years, thoughts on branch types, hub & spoke models, as well as any M&A’s that may be in play.

From here we’ll start to discuss next steps. Most importantly, we’ll need to uncover what is getting in the way of you executing and achieving your goals. That bridge from here to there is typically full of roadblocks, but that’s where LEVEL5 comes in.

Why LAUNCH At All?

The LEVEL5 LAUNCH Program follows a methodical, yet casual approach to uncovering the critical needs of your Financial Institution. Through a series of easy discussions, our team will be able to capture your goals, but also understand what is getting in the way of you achieving them.

From there, we’ll be able to move into the other phases of the LAUNCH Program and make actionable recommendations on how to execute to these goals.

To learn more about our LAUNCH Program, and to schedule your first “Discover” call, contact us today to get going.

3 Reasons to LAUNCH: PROPOSAL

We Have Liftoff

LEVEL5 has officially launched our LAUNCH Program.

This program is perfect for the Credit Union and Bank executive struggling to execute their strategic goals.

Phase I was the Discover phase, Phase II was Alignment. In Phase III, we’ll discuss the delivery of the Proposal and what that means to getting you that much closer to Liftoff.

Phase III: Proposal

By Phase III, if we’ve done our job, we’ve listened intently, captured all of your thoughts and concerned, and have now translated them into a Proposal for your review.

In this proposal, we’ll outline the overall scope of services, whether they be singular, or reflect an integrated deal, where all of our services are reflected, to present budget considerations and proposed schedules.

In this Phase, we’ll look to set up one final call, where we’ll be able to review the proposal, but most importantly, allow you the opportunity to ask any final clarification questions because from here, this proposal is either signed, or goes to the Board for final approval and signature.

Once the proposal is signed, we are officially at LIFTOFF.

While your project has been accounted for up to this point, the execution of the Proposal allows for your project to officially be assigned. Depending on scope of services, you will be introduced to your project lead and the project will commence in earnest.

Why LAUNCH At All?

The LEVEL5 LAUNCH Program follows a methodical, yet casual approach to uncovering the critical needs of your Financial Institution. Through a series of casual conversations, our team will be able to capture your goals, but also understand what is getting in the way of you achieving them.

From there, we’ll be able to make actionable recommendations on how to execute to these goals.

To learn more about our LAUNCH Program, and to schedule your first Discover call, Contact Us today to get going.

4 Critical Things We Learned in 2021

2021 was the much-anticipated light at the end of the seemingly endless tunnel of 2020. It wasn’t an easy year, as we were all still dealing with the tribulations of the pandemic, but it was laced with hope.

Before we begin to look ahead to 2022 (our annual Crystal Ball series is close), let’s revisit this year as we highlight 4 critical things and discuss what we learned.

The Branch is Not Dead

Let’s be honest here… if anything were to have killed the branch, it would have been COVID-19. A global pandemic preventing people from gathering in groups, touching surfaces, attending events in-person, or entering closed spaces without masking up first? And all of that on TOP of the already rapid rise in digital as an alternate to in-person banking?

Branch transformation

If that didn’t get rid of all bank and credit union branches in the country, nothing will. Brick and mortar in the banking industry is simply not going to go away – it’s just time to optimize.

According to a recent study completed by Raddon/Fiserv, 77% of consumers said they went to a branch at least once a month during pandemic. Pre-pandemic, only 69-70% of consumers said they went to a branch at least once a month. Although mobile usage is steadily rising, branch usage is now rising for different reasons. People like to interact with people, especially when it is regarding the things most important to them.

The branch is not dead, but the old way of banking is. In order to continue to thrive and grow, it is imperative to reevaluate and optimize your branch network. The first step in this process is to take a good look at which branches are underperforming and why, and then remove or relocate them. Then, take a look at which branches are performing well and make sure they are well-equipped to provide consumers with personalized experiences. Once your branch network is operating at the maximum efficiency, you can begin to expand.

OmniChannel

Although the branch is not dead, mobile banking saw big gains during the pandemic and will only become more widespread. The rapid increase and reliance on mobile banking does not mean the end of branches, however. Caroline Vahrenkamp, a Senior Research Analyst for Raddon/Fiserv, says “People like to see other people. People like to interact with other people. The challenge is they also like to do things on mobile banking. So they like to use their phones for some things, they like to use their computers for some things, and they like to do some things face to face. And there’s a pretty clear idea of what each individual person wants to do in each of those methods.

omni channel

Although it’s not consistent it’s not like everyone wants to do the same thing in each of those ways, everyone has a blend. But everyone has a blend.”

The statistics of the uptick in branch usage during the pandemic is clear proof of this.

It’s not enough to use brick and mortar, online, and mobile banking arbitrarily. Those three avenues must work seamlessly together and compliment each other. The channels working separately and under different departments forces them to work against each other instead of together. Mobile and online banking should not be the enemies of brick and mortar banking. Mobile and online banking fit the average consumer’s simple, daily needs. Your branches must fill in the gaps that mobile and online banking leave. They can provide human interaction, advisory services, and various other capabilities that require thought and trust. Something not provided by the apps.

Return to the Office

as predicted, the inevitable happened and the great migration back to the office began for much of the country this year. As the vaccines rolled out, companies slowly started opening their doors back up. While some decided that remote work was the best fit for their operations, many other institutions opted for “flex” type schedules. Others decided to go back in full-swing, pre-pandemic style.

return workplace

Companies that decided on any type of in-person work had to put measures in place for the safety and comfort of people. Workplaces are now equipped with hand sanitizer stations, plexiglass dividers, and spread-out environments to accommodate those coming back to the office. Those on flex schedules go in to the office every other day and work from home the other days. They perhaps even share workspaces or common areas with others working in-office on opposite days.

LEVEL5 worked tirelessly throughout 2021 to equip our clients with the knowledge and resources they need for a safe and comfortable return to the office. We used our (Re)FI Design program to re-envision the workspace according to COVID-19 restrictions. We looked into workspace designs that allow for social distancing as well as minimizing touch points to stop the spread of germs and various other ways to allow for a safe branch.

Labor and Supply Chain

A couple of major disruptions throughout the last year that were caused by COVID-19 were the massive labor shortage and the extreme stress put on the supply chain. Although there were issues with it to begin with, the supply chain took a major hit with factories shutting down and workers losing jobs. Even when recovery seemed to be in the works, the Delta variant took some more punches – and who knows just what impact Omicron will have.

supply chain comeback

For what seemed like an eternity, the supply chain disruption happened in conjunction to a heavy decrease in demand. Factories closed and cut production while many lost jobs and couldn’t afford to spend money on anything other than the bare necessities. But not in the fun, carefree way that Baloo sings about. No one could forget about their worries and strife.

Then, as financial assistance was provided, vaccines were produced, and people returned to work, the demand grew back rapidly. This, however, put the supply chain under immense pressure. The pressure continues now as materials and resources are low along with a shortage of essential workers. In addition, the countries of the world “opening back up” is not happening in parallel. The US, for example, is opening at a much faster pace than some other countries, leaving an imbalance in the flow. The supply chain continues on the path of recovery, though. It’s making a comeback.

Although the pandemic permanently altered society, the changes that happened in banking were going to happen regardless of COVID-19. It merely kicked the evolution into overdrive. We have been preaching about the transition of branches from transactional to advisory for years now, but 2021 proved what we’ve been saying since the beginning.

Now, 2022, we’re ready for you. Bring it on.

If you’d like to know more about how you can help your bank or credit union grow in 2022, CONTACT US.

LEVEL5 at Future Branches Austin

Landmark Bank’s, Shon Aguero, To Join LEVEL5 Round Table

LEVEL5 is thrilled to formally announce our participation at this year’s Future Branches Austin – the premier Retail Banking conference.

In addition to hosting a booth throughout the entire show’s run, LEVEL5 will be hosting a Round Table session on Day 2 (Tuesday, November 19th) and will be joined by Shon Aguero, SVP of Retail Banking; Landmark Bank.

Shon will be telling Landmark’s Main Office Branch story, entitled, “The Branch Transformation Journey”

This is a session not to be missed. You will want to hear from Shon directly as he discusses the journey he and Landmark Bank undertook to develop and launch a best-in-class branch for their customers.

This session will fill up fast as there is no need to RSVP.

All attendees will receive an exclusive, limited edition “Branch Transformation Field Guide” – the definitive guide to understand and survive your next branch project.

For more information on the show, please visit their site here: https://futurebranches.wbresearch.com/speakers/shon-aguero

Entrusting a New Branch Experience for Farmers Bank & Trust

Magnolia, AR – Farmers Bank & Trust announced today the ground breaking of a new branch concept to be developed in Prosper, TX. The Bank partnered with Atlanta-based LEVEL5 (www.level5.com), a leading national design-build firm specializing in financial institutions. The branch represents a departure from the way Farmers traditionally operates their branches by adopting an open concept with a focus on customer experience and technology.

Chris Gosnell, President and CEO of the Bank stated, “Although customers continue to desire digital banking channels (online and mobile), the physical branch still plays a key role in the process. Our new Prosper Branch is being developed to break the traditional mold and allow our team to build deeper relationships with customers. And, we are including Interactive Teller Machines in the drive-thru for greater customer convenience.”

Brad Eller, CEO of LEVEL5 continued, “Branching today is less and less about transactions, and more about creating opportunity for customers to obtain counsel from their bankers. Financial Institutions across the U.S. seek out our team’s expertise, so their companies can maximize the impact of their branches.”

Joe Pieratt, Chief Operations Officer of the Bank offered, “We chose LEVEL5 as our partner for this project because they specialize in the design and construction of bank branches. Their team understands how function, brand experience and technology work together to optimize branching. The fact that they not only design facilities, but also construct, provides tremendous value for Farmers Bank & Trust.”

About LEVEL5

Headquartered in Atlanta, with offices in Raleigh, Dallas and Salt Lake City, LEVEL5 is a complete design-build solution that works exclusively with financial institutions across the United States. For nearly two decades, LEVEL5 has assisted hundreds of financial institutions in the development and implementation of growth strategies through its unique service model that marries site selection (consulting and real estate) with design-build (design, construction, and innovation) to maximize results.

Predictable Growth for Bank of Newington

Bank of Newington Brings “Full-Service” Banking to Springfield

Success in any business relies on focusing on what matters. Bank of Newington’s (Newington, GA) new Springfield Branch brings full-service banking to its customers and community. The Bank partnered with Atlanta-based LEVEL5 for the site selection (consulting and real estate) and design-build (design and construction) of the branch.

Tripp Sheppard, President of the Bank said, “When we decided to expand via branching there were two driving factors. First, how would a new branch impact our financial performance. And two, can we design and build it efficiently. The team at LEVEL5 addressed both objectives, simultaneously. Their consulting team built a comprehensive ten-year projection, so we could model the full impact of the branch on our balance sheet and capital. Second, they delivered the branch in less than 6 months.”

Mike Colvin, Executive Vice President and Principal said, “Community banks all across the country want to embrace “branch of the future”. What I am most proud of our team is we continue to listen to our clients, and deliver what they want and need.”

Mr Sheppard closed, “The LEVEL5 site selection and design-build team took a very complex process and performed seamlessly. We needed a turn-key solution and they delivered strong results for our Bank.”

Watch this video to hear from Trip and see the branch:

To learn how we can help you change your experience in the branch, contact us today:

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Hoosier Heartland Transformation in the Branch and Back Office

Hoosier Heartland State Bank Investing in the Future

Crawfordsville, IN – Hoosier Heartland State Bank has announced today a partnership with Atlanta-based LEVEL5 to transform its main branch and develop a new operations center.

Trey Etcheson, CEO of Hoosier Heartland stated, “We are excited to see these two important projects come to life. The investment we are making in these buildings signify our continued growth, and reinforces our commitment to serving our customers and the community.”

“Our Crawfordsville South Office is getting a dramatic, new exterior and the branch is being transformed to something that is brand new for our area. We engaged LEVEL5 because they understand the benefits and nuances of transforming our Bank’s customer experience in the branch and back office to better meet the needs of a growing customer base.”

The branch transformation continues the growing trend in banking toward technology automation and optimizing the customer experience. Instead of traditional teller lines, the branch will embrace an open retail environment. The branch’s function and experience are designed to enable staff to dive deeper into building and growing relationships.

Brad Monts, the Bank’s President said, “The new operation’s center adjacent to our  Crawfordsville South Branch will solve several challenges for our Bank. First, the additional space will allow our company to grow headcount to support our long-term plans. Second, the exterior renovations and branding will allow our company to better differentiate itself.”

Brad Eller, CEO for LEVEL5 stated, “The Bank needed a solution that developed a new branch concept, and addressed its long-term back office needs. These two projects provide the complete experience Hoosier Heartland wanted for their customers and staff.”

Brad Monts added, “We chose LEVEL5 as our partner because of the value they bring to the complete design-build process. Few firms in the country can study markets, address headcount, procure real estate, design and construct facilities like their team.”

To learn how we can help you change your experience in the branch or back office, contact us today:

SPC Credit Union – Branching for the Future

SPC Credit Union Introduces New Branch Approach to Florence

LEVEL5 recently celebrated the grand opening for SPC Credit Union’s New Florence Branch. The branch is the Credit Union’s first opportunity to introduce a retail-focused approach to banking for its membership and community.

Linda Weatherford, President and CEO stated, “We are excited about what we’ve accomplish in this branch. Our focus was first to create a branch that is warm and inviting, so we could introduce a new approach to branching. In Florence, the demographics skew younger, so we wanted to create an experience that would appeal to them through the use of design elements, branding and technology.”

The Florence Branch (shown below) is a departure from traditional banking. Instead a of a teller line, the Credit Union choose to deploy a pod environment. By eliminating physical barriers, the Credit Union is creating more opportunities for face-to-face conversation with its consumers. The Credit Union’s brand message of “Banking with a Heart” is layered throughout the experience.

Mrs. Weatherford continued, “We believe that nothing replaces sitting down with a member to establish trust. The value of LEVEL5 is their team truly understands what works in the design-build of branches. Their team brought together all the design, branding, technology and training (with the construction), so that we can embrace branching for the future.”

Watch the Florence Branch come to life below:

To learn how we can help you redefine your brand experience in your branch, contact us today:

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Brand Experience Through the Branch Changes Everything

Brand Experience Break Out Session at Brand Forum

Recently we had the privilege to host a breakout session at the 2019 Financial Brand Forum. Over 150 spectators packed a room to hear Tansley Stearns (Chief People and Strategy Officer at Canvas Credit Union) discuss how to maximize the brand experience in your branch network.

With consumers still visiting branches, Tansley’s story is as relevant as ever.

To learn how we can help you redefine your brand experience in your branch, contact us today:

Click Here

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