This could totally be a bank!
Check out this amazing concept designed by architect Adam Kalkin. Taking the idea of the portable house to the utmost, he created a push button structure (seen here is the portable coffee shop version for the coffee brand illy). To open the building, all it takes is the push of one button and voila! you have your home, shop, store, whatever.

To see the house opening in action, click here. If you’re an innovative bank, why not consider a pop-up for your new branch? It’s a great opportunity to spread word-of-mouth marketing and to tell your brand’s story by putting it in an open field, on an overpass, in a parking garage, near the railroad tracks, in a downtown plaza, on top of a skyscraper… whatever proves your story!
(Also, think of how convenient it would be for consumers during the holiday season when put next to a big shopping center or downtown square).

July 25th, 2008 at 9:24 am
I like it.
July 25th, 2008 at 11:43 am
Here’s how the bank conversation is going to go:
Marketing: We have a way cool idea for an innovative branch design.
Retail Bank exec: We could see our way to supporting this.
Finance: Real estate acquisition cost, maintenance cost/square foot, FTEs per deposit $ all in line. We give it a 10.
IT: Wireless 802.11 setup is entirely possible.
CEO: Bill, what do you think?
Risk Mgmt Exec: NO.
End of story.
July 25th, 2008 at 2:31 pm
Good point, Ron. Unfortunately this is the truth we all deal with at times. I believe we can counter balance the risk management executive by having already anticipated what he/or she is going to say and by preparing sound responses to deliver to this naysayer! People will always be afraid of new ideas, our job as envelope pushers is to find ways to get people to open their minds and not be afraid.
July 26th, 2008 at 9:14 am
@Irina You’re 100% right. My bet, though: Few people in the industry will accept the challenge. With people fighting a million fires each day, taking on the Risk dept. is a battle many are too weary to fight.
However… (the faint sound of “Alice’s Restaurant” is playing in my head)… if one CU or bank does it, the industry will think they’re crazy. If two do it, everyone will think they’re both loony. But when three do it…. it will become a movement.
August 11th, 2008 at 6:26 am
I’m thinking this has applications for BCP, provided you can get the Fed to make cash deliveries and pickups at your temporary location in a timely manner.