2020 and social distancing fundamentally changed how customers interact with businesses. Close, in-person interactions were largely replaced with virtual exchanges. As the initial chaos of the pandemic gives way to a new reality, how can credit unions and banks meet the needs of customers while still delivering a superior customer experience?
In a recent report, “Beyond COVID-19: Five key priorities to accelerate post-crisis transformation for banking and capital markets,” PwC lists key strategic questions for financial institutions to consider post-pandemic. From those questions, PwC identifies 5 key priorities:
- Being a part of the solution: re-establish trust
- Updating and optimizing operations for the return to work
- Capitalizing on the opportunities for transformation
- Driving acquisition and collaboration
- Balancing stability and growth
As financial organizations consider these priorities, virtual branches can help fulfill many key strategic needs–enabling them to meet customers and members in their comfort zones, delivering scalable solutions, increasing employee engagement and productivity, and more.
“A virtual branch is similar to an online bank, but it’s not the same thing. The term typically describes an all-in-one package of communication tools housed in an app or other digital platform that is meant to simulate interactions at a regular branch.”
– American Banker, “Virtual branch concept making inroads in U.S,” October 23, 2020
The forced shift to digital in 2020 reinforced the vital role that virtual branches play in serving members–it means credit unions can meet them where they are most comfortable, offering the functionality of physical branches and larger banks, while also delivering a personalized experience.
Meeting Members Where They Are With Virtual Branches
Unitus Community Credit Union is the seventh-largest credit union in Oregon with more than 100,000 members. The Portland-based organization is committed to providing excellent service and routinely handles approximately 24,000 calls a month from members across Oregon and Washington.
The credit union saw the Virtual Branch as a way to meet members where they are and expand access without the need to open additional physical branches. Glia’s Digital Customer Service platform enables them to bring personalized service and video banking to their members online. View the Unitus Virtual Branch video they created to build excitement among their base.
Unitus’ results speak for themselves:
- 28% reduction in online banking handle times
- 85% of “Virtual Branch” visitors say they would interact with the branch again
- 4.7 out of 5 Client satisfaction rating — higher than any of the credit union’s physical branches
“Members benefit from advanced features such as document sharing and CoBrowsing.”
– CHAR SEARS, AVP & REMOTE EXPERIENCE MANAGER, UNITUS
Read the complete Unitus Community Credit Union case study to learn more.
