Prototype Design Experience

MGA has been involved with financial building prototype design and guidelines since the 1980’s. Our involvement was initially solicited during the period when Texas first allowed branching, and our clients had a need to present similar identities at multiple locations locally and across the state.

Proponents of standardization often cite cost and time saving reasons. An establishment with many locations can manage new construction and maintenance more productively by creating guidelines for similar materials, finishes and furnishings throughout their system.

Prototypes and standards are now an industry wide ‘requirement’ for demonstrating an institution’s efficiency whether within a region or nationwide. Customer Recognition and ‘Branding’ are necessities to increase market share at a reasonable cost. Additional savings are seen in advertising, building construction and management, staff training and merchandising production.

Our experience includes:

Prototype Design and Construction Administration
• American Nat’l Bank, Terrell – six locations1
• Amoco Federal Credit Union – two Houston locations1
• Bank One (now Chase) - two Houston locations
• Bank United, Texas (now Washington Mutual) – 18 Texas locations
• Comerica Bank - two Texas locations (also see Site Adapt below)
• Compass Bank, Houston - one location
• First Bank & Trust (St Louis, MO) - three Texas locations
• First City Bank, Houston (now Chase) - one location
• First Community Credit Union – one location
• First National Bank of Bryan – three Bryan area locations1
• Laredo National Bank – multiple Texas locations1
• Smart Financial Credit Union – three Houston locations1
• Sunflower Bank, Nebraska - one location
• Trustmark (Jackson, MS) – six locations1

Prototype Concept Design Only
• Bank of America, Texas
• First Bank & Trust, New Orleans, Louisiana
• NCNB, Texas (now Wells Fargo)
• Texas Commerce Bank (now Chase)
• Whitney Bank, Louisiana

Prototype Site Adapt and Construction Administration
• Bank of Texas – multiple Houston adapt prototype
• Comerica Bank – six Houston locations adapt prototype
• Frost Bank – Webster adapt prototype

Regional Institutions – Multiple Similar Offices
• Bank of Tanglewood (now Bank of Texas) - two Houston locations
• Century Bank, New Boston - two Texarkana locations
• Citizens National Bank, Henderson - three east Texas locations
• Republic National Bank, Houston - four locations

Guidelines (written and graphic)
• Sterling Bank, Houston: New Branch Design Handbook
• Victoria Bank & Trust, Texas (now Wells Fargo):
Interior Materials and finishes, merchandising system for 28 locations.