Momentum Articles

Along with authoring several books, Paul Seibert, CMC, EHS Design, Mark Weber and Weber Marketing Group contribute to and have authored dozens of articles for the financial industry. To purchase a copy of Facilities Planning & Design For Financial Institutions: A Strategic Management Guide... click here.

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New Branch Prototype on Horizon for GTE FCU

1/29/2008 – CU Times by Myriam DiGiovanni

Momentum has been selected to design a new branch prototype for one of Florida’s largest credit unions, GTE FCU. This article, which includes quotes from GTE’s VP of Marketing, Traci Germain, and Momentum’s President, Jim Haack, discusses the upcoming project.

Science of Growth

6/1/2007 – CU Management Magazine by Paul Seibert, Mark Weber, and Glenn Christensen

Paul Seibert of Momentum and EHS Design, contributes to this article which discusses that good old fashioned strategic plans are no longer enough to help credit unions be successful. Many factors are involved in creating success including branding and market research studies.

Expressing Identity

8/13/2006 – ABA Banking Journal

This article explores how to make universal brand play in the world of particulars. Paul offers his insight on branded branches.

Secure and Satisfied by Paul Seibert

02/01/2006 – Credit Union Management

With branch security being a top concern, Paul recently met with an FBI agent, who works with the bureau's bank robbery prevention program, to discuss security issues and solutions.  Through these conversations, they coined a Hi! Security solution that Paul writes about along with key design and employee training solutions to maintain high member satisfaction.

Gearing up for Facilities

01/01/2006 – Credit Union Management

Paul contributes information in this article that explores how branches are more than brick and mortar; they're an expression of lifestyle.

Credit Union Opens in Federal Way

07/20/2005 – Seattle Daily Journal of Commerce

It profiles new Weyerhaeuser Employees' CU opening in Federal Way.  EHS is mentioned as the architect.

Quiet Zones Can Help Offer Unique CU Experiences
for Members, Employees Alike

3/02/2005 – Credit Union Times

Seibert discusses making the credit union environment a more relaxing, inviting experience that engages the five senses; he illustrates a few unique examples of how EHS Design has done this.

Relationships Count in Building Facilities, Brands in Hawaii

1/26/2005 – Credit Union Times

Mark Weber and Paul Seibert talk about the unique aspects of working with financial facilities in Hawaii and the facility and brand work being done for Honolulu City and Employees Federal Credit Union.

Designed for Success

9/01/2004 – Independent Banker

Making a business statement with the look and feel of physical space...  Seibert explains the importance of a physical brand and creating a hierarchy of how the branch will feel – plus the importance of a business model rather than just pasting architectural concepts into a branch.

Urge to Merge

by Glenn Christensen, Paul Seibert, and Mark Weber
7/01/2004 – Credit Union Management

Building a consensus and defining the process are key along with market considerations, financial considerations, and the cultural/political aspects involved with creating a successful merger.

Who's On Call

6/01/2004 – Credit Union Management

Members' expectations for round-the-clock access to financial services and the branch growth of many credit unions have made staffing operations for emergencies a 24/7 concern... Seibert contributes sage advice about developing emergency contact lists and risk management employees/consultants.

Special Report: Facilities – Looking for True Branch Success? Then Don't View Branches as an Aggregate

5/19/2004 - Credit Union Times

When it comes to measuring branch performance individuality counts... Paul discusses the importance of individual branch tracking performance.

Alaska CU Branch Challenges No Different Than 'Lower 48' – Give or Take a Moose

5/19/2004 - Credit Union Times

Building credit union branches in Alaska is an exercise in creative problem solving...

Retail Branches in Focus

5/05/2004 - Credit Union Times

A full-page pictorial spread emphasizing how brand is reinforced in retail environments, showcases two EHS Design projects: Yolo Federal Credit Union and Norlarco Federal Credit Union.

Stretching Out with Shared Branching

5/01/2004 - Credit Union Management

Shared branching expands and continues to help credit unions extend their service reach.  Seibert discusses operations and design issues to consider with shared networks.

Merchandising Branches

5/01/2004 – Credit Union Management

How does a CU go from traditional branch to retail destination?  Illustrates case example Norlarco Credit Union's new prototype developed by Emick Howard & Seibert, Inc. and Weber Marketing Group.

Special Report: Facilities – Pretty Not Enough Anymore

4/26/2004 - The Credit Union Journal

The Key in Developing a Branch?  Developing the payback. Branch designers aren't all about the pretty stuff. They know spending money on a branch is an investment-one on which credit unions expect a return...

Shhh, Voices Carry: Branch Privacy

4/01/2004 – Credit Union Management

Do your branches protect members' private data from being overheard or seen by others? Seibert offers insight from his years of branch auditing experience and solutions.

Special Report: Facilities...American First CU Branches Starbucks-Inspired?

04/23/2003 - Credit Union Times

Pictures EHS Design work: American First CU branch design with a coffee-house feel.

Special Report: Facilities – Trading Stuffy for Creative Efficient Spaces in Credit Union Boardrooms

4/23/2003 - Credit Union Times

Forget about the big bulky desk and slide projector – more credit unions are busy revamping and redefining what boardrooms will be...

Branching Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow by Paul Seibert

8/01/2002 - Credit Union Management

The diagram of a credit union's branches 25 years ago looked more like a straight line-or a road with a few forks-than the intricate web of technical, traditional and partnered extensions that credit unions find themselves managing today...

Branching Out

12/01/2002 Washington CEO

EHS Design designed HomeStreet Bank branch is pictured in this article about new "touchy-feely" banks.

Special Report: Facilities – What a Difference a New Design Makes

10/23/2002 - Credit Union Times

A renovated facilities spread picturing EHS Design designed Spokane Teachers Credit Union's Nora Branch and Wood Products Credit Union.

Well Oiled – Shared Branching Works Best when CUs Have Their Own Machines Running Smoothly

9/01/2002 - Credit Union Management

Shared branching is now just another service delivery channel to manage for a growing number of credit unions.  Like any delivery channel, how seamless and convenient the personal service your credit union's members receive at an electronically linked shared branch depends on how well your credit union plans and operates...

Not Just Kids' Play - Playing up to kids in branches can give credit unions an edge

8/21/2002 - Credit Union Times

Seibert shares his insight into today's importance of kids' areas and specific considerations that need to be taken when designing.

Who Says Ergonomics has to be a Pain for Credit Unions?

6/26/2002 - Credit Union Times

Despite its sleeping status, ergonomics may once again become the hot topic and could present credit unions with a unique opportunity to lead rather than be dragged... Seibert details current ergonomic trends with information about application into today's financial facilities.

Out With the Old: From Studio Tellers to Ergonomic Elements, Today's Credit Union Facilities Have no Boundaries

6/12/2002 - Credit Union Times

Seibert discusses the importance of choreographing the member experience with new design elements and illustrates case study Financial Partners Credit Union in Newport Beach.

Facilities Fitness

6/01/2002 - Credit Union Management

Seibert expresses the importance of a facility manager who is involved in strategic planning and facility changes for effective alignment with business strategies to occur.

An in-depth Look: Norlarco CU Branch Borrows from Surroundings

4/24/2002 - Credit Union Times

EHS Design developed a new Norlarco Credit Union branch – with a ski lodge hospitality feel - that combines both physical and financial fitness to embody the local members' interests in the outdoor lifestyle.

Tech-Grown Service

2/01/2002 – Credit Union Management

So-called "tellerless" or "virtual" branch locations can become operational much faster and with far less capital than a traditional, fully-staffed, brick-and-mortar structure. EHS Design principal Brett Conway details the necessity appropriate type, size, and fit necessary for each market.

Connecting – Successful Convergent Brands are not 'Hit or Miss' By Mark Weber and Paul Seibert

5/01/2001 - Credit Union Management

While one 50-something member sips fresh coffee and reads The Wall Street Journal, a businesswoman eyes the monitors showing today's NASDAQ stock quotes, while Web shopping for a credit union discount on a new car...  Weber and Seibert detail strategies to credit unions building strong models with brand convergence.

Washington Mutual's Branches Getting an Informal Makeover

3/09/2001 - Seattle Post-Intelligencer

Seibert comments on the "Washington Mutual approach" to combine the best of technology and personal service - creating more face-to-face, relationship-building time between tellers and customers.

"Brand Convergence," By Mark Weber and Paul Seibert

3/01/2001 - Credit Union Management

The frantic pace of technology has created a dangerous trend of multiple channels to manage, leading to the fracturing of brands.  By not linking Web, automated and in-person service, far too many credit unions are creating a Jekyl and Hyde type of brand inconsistency...

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