Self-service banking through digital channels will be a majorbeneficial influence on the role and design of the branch of thefuture, according to a new study and guide unveiled this week bythe ATM Industry Association.

“Best Practice in Branch Transformation offers an inside look attrends in 21^st century bank branch strategies to meetthe challenges of multi-channel convergence in our era of customerowned devices co-existing with traditional self-service terminalsand rapidly changing branches,” ATMIA CEO Mike Lee said in a pressrelease announcing the study.

Authored by international banking consultant David Cavell, thedetailed manual discusses specialized branch types, staffing issuesand new branch design.

“ATMIA felt there was a need to make recommendations at aninternational level so banks can optimize their transformationalstrategies going forward,” Lee added.

The study analyzes each of the new channels, customer engagementwith branch technology, customer-activated terminals, self-servicefacilities, the future of the bank branch, the role of the bankbrand and other critical success factors, the association said.

“Customer-facing technology can now handle all types of branchservice and sales transactions, and this must be the point fromwhich any transformation project starts,” Cavell stated in thestudy's executive summary. “Convergence will see this newgeneration of devices also take over the roles of traditionaldesktop terminals and emerging concepts, such as smart television.It will also demand a coordinated approach to navigation, image,graphical displays and the allocation of functionality.”