UnionBank officially launched “The ARK,” the first fully digital bank branch in the Philippines last November 27 in Makati City.
The ARK utilizes digital technology to augment the physical banking experience, delivering on the company’s promise of a new industry platform.
“The ARK was established by UnionBank to address the common pain points in banking. Falling in line, getting a number before being attended to, spending a lot of time in the bank which could have been used in, otherwise, more productive endeavors. It is also meant to satisfy the diverse and changing needs of our customers,” explained UnionBank President and COO Edwin R. Bautista.
Bautista added that The ARK provides an interactive experience rather than a transactional space that could also be used as a third space for different communities to get together. As a concept branch and working idea laboratory, The ARK serves as a venue for clients to co-create an ideal banking experience, looking closely into their needs and wants.
Clients are welcomed by highly-trained bank ambassadors who hand them individual tablets to select a transaction. The guest will then be ushered into the coffee area while the bank ambassador facilitates the transaction. This leaves time for the customer to focus on other tasks such as working remotely or doing other errands with the help of the branch’s high-speed Internet connection.
“UnionBank trail-blazed [sic] digital banking in the Philippines and we continue with our efforts to use technology and enhancing digital banking capabilities in order to provide the best customer experience for our clients, said UnionBank Chairmand and CEO Justo A. Ortiz.
The opening of The ARK follows the bank’s recent award for the Best Digital Bank at the Asiamoney Banking Awards 2017 in Beijing, China last September 26, further validating its postion as the best digital bank in the country.
The ARK is located at the Insular Life Building at Ayala Avenue corner Paseo de Roxas in the Makati Central Business District.