Branch network

At a time when customers are rapidly switching to digital banking, scores of branches are closing. But many institutions — mindful that brick-and-mortar locations remain a critical sales channel — are also experimenting with physical layouts that are focused on technology and generally smaller than traditional branches. In some cases, they have even done away with employees. Here is a look at some of the designs that banks have built as they seek to fuse the physical with the digital.

Instead of waiting to be disrupted by fintech startups, a pair of credit unions are rethinking what they are, who they serve and how they do it — and it's paying off by bringing younger members into the fold.

Bank of America is revamping its retail network and upgrading its ATMs as it rolls out a new type of branch that bridges the physical and digital worlds.

A joint venture the California company operates in China opened its first branch in Shanghai in 2012.

More and more banks are using advanced geographic information systems to help make decisions around branch consolidation, lending in low-income communities, monitoring fraud and even deploying talent.

Community banks should jump at the chance to show consumers and policymakers how different they are from big banks.

First Busey plans to close the $236 million cash-and-stock acquisition by the middle of this year.

Traditional banks may need to think twice about putting off higher rates on CDs and other deposit products. That’s because freer-spending online banks are adding deposits faster than they are, and more Fed rate hikes are expected to fuel that trend.

Over the last five years, the credit union also saw a 66% rise in membership, 204% increase in auto loans and a 26% uptick in real estate loans.

United continues to extend a far-flung operation that includes branches in Chicago, Denver and Florida.