What makes a partnership with a design-build firm successful?

With the opening of a fourth new branch in 2 years, DBSI and Vantage West have perfected a Relationship Banking branch formula that continues to deliver outstanding results. The success is not luck, but rather the output of a sound strategy developed upfront, a design focused on blending technology into the client experience, and staff training to engineer the experience for optimal client interactions.

As southern Arizona's largest credit union, Vantage West's latest 1,925-square foot branch opening continues a 10-branch expansion plan. Centered around a banking model commonly referred to as “relationship banking”, this design fosters a convenient and interactive experience that enables Relationship Bankers to provide virtually any service Members need. While the open floorplan encourages advisory interactions, the ability to process transactions from anywhere in the branch with RTA, a solution provided by DBSI's sister company CFM, is a huge advantage in making this model work. Other focal points of the branch includes flex offices and Service Spots for collaborative conversations, teller towers complete with digital signage, inviting lobby environments for casual conversations and murals featuring local scenery that embodies the spirit of the communities Vantage West serves.

Richard Paige, Director of Market and Product Development at Vantage West, enthused, "Our partnership with DBSI allowed us to deliver the right kind of experience that we envisioned, in a way that was cost-effective, and in a way that drove convenience."

Besides being a finalist in the Future Branches Innovator Awards, a peer-voted awards program that looks to identify the best in banking, Vantage West's branch concepts have achieved perfect scores in secret shopper surveys, largely due to the training provided by DBSI's Delivery Defined program.

Rosanna Ramirez, Financial Center Manager at Vantage West, added, "At Vantage West Credit Union, we pride ourselves on creating excellent Member interactions, and we value the importance of operational soundness. I am extremely proud of our team for achieving a superior audit score of a “1.” This was our first to be conducted in our new Delivery Defined banking style by DBSI, which makes it extra special."

Collaborative partnerships with an experienced firm are key to achieving results. Congratulations to Vantage West on another successful branch opening, and here's to launching even more branches together!