The new branch of Sandy Spring Bank at 7550 Wisconsin Avenue is new. But, Sandy Spring Bank says, this new bank is
really new. It features innovative self-service technology, and promises you won't find yourself in the traditional line waiting to be called forward by a teller.
Universal Bankers staff the bank, on the ground floor of Akridge's Class A office tower. Sandy Spring says these bankers can offer a variety of standard banking services, as well as access to wealth management, private banking, mortgages, insurance and commercial banking.
If you stop in this opening week, there will be free local baked goods and hot coffee available. There will also be free gifts, and free prize drawings.
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Pretty office. Stopped by today and had a cookie, coffee, and met some nice folks. But what's so different about them again?
ReplyDeleteThey claimed there wouldn't be a line to get to a teller.
DeleteThat would be nice but how does that make it a "new type of bank"? Just a more efficient one perhaps?
DeleteWho uses tellers, anyway, besides old people?
ReplyDeleteThe only time I've used them in the past several years is when the ATM check scanner won't scan my check.
Where in Bethesda has anyone had to wait in line to get to a teller? In the past 10-20 years?
ReplyDeleteAnd how would they guarantee that? 20 people show up at one time and what do they do? Or do they mean because they have those touchscreen devices it counts as not waiting for a teller? Some clarification would be nice if that is the one thing they are claiming that makes them special. Thanks!
DeleteSeriously puzzled by the business model here. Just wondering what they can offer in this environment of really expensive overhead that people cannot get better from an online bank?
ReplyDeleteIsn't the whole idea of actually going to a bank branch, so that you can get FULL service? What's this "innovative self-service technology"?
ReplyDeleteWhy will old people who don't use ATMs, want to deal with this touchscreen mumbo-jumbo?
Why does Dyer hate old people?
I am not an old person (30's), but I still go into the bank and have waited at capital one bank in line before. I have not had to wait recently, but it just depends on the time of day.
ReplyDeleteOK, I went there earlier this week.
ReplyDeleteEssentially they replaced the row of tellers, behind a cage or plexiglass with two staff operating ATMs that were in nicely designed lecturns, for customers who were too lazy/un-electronic-savvy to do so.