The Challenge
Achieve smart technology integration while maintaining a hometown feel
Project Background
With over $900 million in assets, First Fed is the only locally-owned savings bank on Washington’s North Olympic Peninsula. To continue to provide the best service to the communities it serves, the bank needed to dedicate more space and staff to higher-value customer interactions.
Technology Integration with a Human Touch
The team is amazing, from the top to the bottom. Jenny’s design spoke to our brand, and Colin’s expertise in the building industry helped us get through the permit process. Momentum was able to identify potential hurdles and solutions up front, which helped avoid trouble down the line.”
Kelly Liske, EVP & Chief Banking Officer / First Fed
Momentum worked closely with First Fed to develop a long-term branch optimization strategy, leveraging technology as a differentiator. Branch efficiency was identified as a key project requirement.
The team focused on a “Modern Industry” design concept, integrating First Fed’s community-based roots and rich history with its new focus on technology innovation.
The Silverdale branch, the first of two tenant improvement projects completed with Momentum, is the first implementation of the new First Fed branch prototype. The new layout intersperses Virtual Teller Machines with transactional mini-pod areas, balancing technology with human touchpoints for an exceptional customer experience in a more efficient footprint.
The new branch design is driving impressive business results as well.
In nine months, the branch reached $20M in deposit growth and exceeded $25M in just 12 months. This far outpaced the branch’s projected goal of $26M – which we anticipated happening in three years, not one.”
Kelly Liske, EVP & Chief Banking Officer / First Fed
Momentum Moment
First Fed is an early adopter of cutting-edge Virtual Teller Technology. The Momentum team developed an efficient design with one teller servicing three Interactive Teller Machines. The problem? The design and implementation actually outpaced the production of the new technology! To overcome this obstacle, Momentum created a design that worked with both ATMs and ITMs and set up the stage for a seamless technology switch 8 months after the branch opening.
