Business & Tech

New Quonset BankNewport Features Coffee, WiFi, Meeting Space

BankNewport is piloting a new model for banking that puts a new spin on the customer experience at its newest branch in Quonset.

When you think about a place to grab a cup of coffee, have a business meeting and hop on the Internet, a local bank branch might not come to mind.

In Quonset, BankNewport will be cutting a ribbon at their newest branch on Thursday and customers there will be able to do just that.

The branch, nestled in The Shops at Quonset Point — a 400,000 square-foot development at the gateway to Quonset Business Park — marks both the changing banking industry and the Rhode Island-based bank's attempts to meet the modern customer's demands.

Inside, there's an ATM in the lobby for after-hours banking, a coin counting machine in the lobby (bye bye Coinstar fees), a conference room available to small businesses that need a meeting space during banking hours and architecture similar to other BankNewport branches in South County, with a tower evoking lighthouse references.

The big change is how BankNewport is employing a different model, starting with the elimination of a traditional teller line. The branch will have on hand for any type of transaction. All types of transactions will be supported, but "technology will be utilized to streamline transactions in order to allow branch staff to focus on having conversations with customers to address individual needs and provided tailored solutions," a release stated.

Throw in some WiFi and an enhanced coffee-bar and a trip to the bank might negate the need for that coffee pit stop.

The bank is the latest ribbon cutting to take place at The Shops at Quonset Point and in Quonset Business Park. The business park is now home to 175 companies employing 9,500 people.

We'll have more details after the ribbon cutting ceremony on Thursday. 


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