Poland's mBank is to spend EUR17 million to open a network of 40 compact bank branches comprising ultra-modern multi-touch screens, motion sensing and face-recognition technologies in shopping malls across the country.
Designed more like a retail outlet and situated in locations attracting a high consumer footfall, the first nine 'Light' branches have already tripled the sales of banking products compared to the traditional high street establishment, attracting circa 200 customers per day.
MBank plans to invest more than EUR 17 million in the project over a couple of years, and the network reorganisation will bring savings exceeding EUR12 million annually.
The bank says the approach is designed to counteract the modern drift away from the branch network by providing a space that is more in line with modern consumer lifestyles.
In a statement, the bank says: "The investment will result in an optimal adaptation of the bank's branches to the needs of a modern - and often mobile - client."