BRANDING

What exactly is a brand? It is your corporate identity, everything that your company says about itself both to your own people and to customers. Branding used to be just for large companies. Now, branding is for everyone; businesses, even individuals. Brand marketing can be integrated into every communication you have with prospects and customers.

This includes your direct marketing, telemarketing, advertising, brochures, web site, business cards, letterhead and your physical locations. A brand says: this is my company, this is what my company stands for, this is my brand.

Brick-and-Mortar spaces serve as the one place where marketers are guaranteed to make contact with their intended audience. In essence, the branch becomes one giant billboard. How this billboard is used can make a difference in the perception of your business. Starbucks, for instance, has created a brand image by ‘dressing up the experience of basically drinking water’ by introducing a hip café atmosphere complete with leather couches and poetry readings. Starbucks drinkers are getting more than a cup of Joe; they’re buying into an image too.

Choose an architect who understands what branding is and how it can be applied to your facility design. How well your building communicates your identity will make a difference in how well you compete in the financial service market.
 

PROTOTYPE DESIGN

MGA has been involved in the design of financial building prototypes since the 1980's. We were 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.

CENTURY BANK

WASHINGTON MUTUAL

COMERICA