Commercial Bank has said there will not be any decrease in the number of branches across the country, despite its push to digital transformation and banking innovation.
At a recent online media roundtable, Amit Sah, Commercial Bank executive general manager and head (Retail Banking) explained how branches are still an integral part of the bank’s focus on customers and confirmed that there would be no decrease in the number of branches. “In fact, there will be a slight increase as the bank reshape the layouts, designs, locations of branches, to suit the needs of the customers,” Sah said.
“For us, it is empowering the customer to choose how they want to transact with us. Our focus on branch banking is not going down. In fact, the number of locations where we will be… is steady around 30…and may even go up this year or next year.
“What, however, is changing is going to be what we do in the branches and how we do it. Our branches, in many cases, will be in the path of the traffic… for example in Metro Stations. They will be in strategic locations. So the total number of locations has not reduced.”
Sah said, “From a one-size-fits-all kind of a branch, we are making it a three tier. There will be four or five branches, which will be what we call the premium lounges – these will be luxury branches for our high-end customers. Then there will be another 15 traditional branches but in the new format. If you go to our new branch at the Boulevard (Al Sadd), you will see the design of the new branch. It is already live.
“And then we are going to create smaller branches, like the ones in the Metro Stations. We are already there in the Metro stations at DECC, Wakrah and Qatar University. We will be at the HIA, Hamad Port and in many other locations, but smaller branches. So, the physical number of locations will be the same or even increase. But where we operate will be very different. That’s what is important.
“In different branches, we will now focus on catering to different kinds of customers. As I said earlier, customers will always have the choice to go to branches. We believe that we can always expand our business; use our branches differently. And I feel, for the next few years, branches will remain important,” Sah said.
He also said Commercial Bank was looking at an ATM network in the range of 175 to 200 across the country. Currently, the number of Commercial Bank ATMs is 175 including those in its branches.
“For us, it is empowering the customer to choose how they want to transact with us. Our focus on branch banking is not going down. In fact, the number of locations where we will be… is steady around 30…and may even go up this year or next year.
“What, however, is changing is going to be what we do in the branches and how we do it. Our branches, in many cases, will be in the path of the traffic… for example in Metro Stations. They will be in strategic locations. So the total number of locations has not reduced.”
Sah said, “From a one-size-fits-all kind of a branch, we are making it a three tier. There will be four or five branches, which will be what we call the premium lounges – these will be luxury branches for our high-end customers. Then there will be another 15 traditional branches but in the new format. If you go to our new branch at the Boulevard (Al Sadd), you will see the design of the new branch. It is already live.
“And then we are going to create smaller branches, like the ones in the Metro Stations. We are already there in the Metro stations at DECC, Wakrah and Qatar University. We will be at the HIA, Hamad Port and in many other locations, but smaller branches. So, the physical number of locations will be the same or even increase. But where we operate will be very different. That’s what is important.
“In different branches, we will now focus on catering to different kinds of customers. As I said earlier, customers will always have the choice to go to branches. We believe that we can always expand our business; use our branches differently. And I feel, for the next few years, branches will remain important,” Sah said.
He also said Commercial Bank was looking at an ATM network in the range of 175 to 200 across the country. Currently, the number of Commercial Bank ATMs is 175 including those in its branches.
