Bradesco opens the bank of the future

Banco Bradesco has opened a futuristic hi-tech branch in São Paulo Brazil featuring robot guides, personalised financial advisory services from digital avatars and on-screen consultants, biometric interfaces, and wall- and table-mounted gesture-controlled touchscreens.

Customers approaching the Bradesco Next branch - developed in partnership with Portuguese design agency YDreams - are enticed in by Link 237, an R2DT-inspired bot that greets visitors with a smile and invites them to explore the space.

Biometric log-in points play a central role in the design of the branch, which is geared towards the provision of easy access to tailored financial advice. Bradesco first introduced Fujitsu's palm-based biometric authentication in 2006 and has since amassed 10 million user profiles. Once touched in, clients can conduct transactions at a range of cardless ATMs, and are provided with personalised information across a plethora of touch-controlled digital interfaces in the store.

Based on each individual's financial profile the 'Life Cycle' service displays personal interests, financial situation and consumption patterns. The application may predict the ideal time to purchase a home, or set up a personal pension plan. This information can then be forwarded to the client's e-mail or discussed in further detail with a bank officer.

A on-to-one customer service room - where the partition glass automatically frosts over to ensure privacy - provides a space for clients to interact with digital avatars or request a video conference with an investment specialist.

For those suffering from a hi-tech overload, the 'Mesa Lounge' offers a touchscreen display table where customers can order a bottle of mineral water, read the latest magazines or find out about the latest cultural events in town.

Related Companies

Banco Bradesco

Channels

Retail banking

Keywords

Automated teller machines and network services Biometrics Branch banking

Comments: (4)

A Finextra member 30 August, 2012, 11:57

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Interesting video and concept. Great use of multiple technologies, bright colors and simple design. But I struggle to believe consumers need to be in a branch to do any of this. In a word where the power of digital is its ability to go beyond 'bricks n mortar', I can't see a digitally savvy consumer going to a branch for services or information that could easily be distributed on an iPad, Smartphone or Web Browser. Just ask Borders, Blockbuster or Encyclopedia Britannica.

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A Finextra member 30 August, 2012, 12:37

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"I can't see a digitally savvy consumer going to a branch for services or information"

Yes, those digitally savvy consumers are all too busy going to the Apple Store for services and information.

Those crazy Apple guys, don' they know the retail outlet concept is dead?

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A Finextra member 31 August, 2012, 10:48

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Bradesco seems to be completely missing the point. In a digital world why do you need digital unmanned branches when you could do all this either on mobile or at home? If someone who is digitally literate visits a branch it is because they want the experience of getting advice from a real person in a physical environment.

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Brett King - Moven - New York 31 August, 2012, 23:22

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Finextra member:

I presume you have an iPad, iPhone or some other Apple device that works with iTunes. I'm also guessing you have Apps on your device - and I'm positive you didn't need to go to the Apple store to buy those apps.

I might open an account in a branch, but after that I'm going to be all digital unless a really sticky problem comes up. We have to remember that right now 60-70% of the visits to a branch are because we funnel customers into a branch based on compliance process, and not because they love coming into a branch. Banking products and services are much more like Apps than they are the physical products of Apple.