Bank makeovers

Banks might be battling for customers, but Provident Bank is focusing on keeping its current customers satisfied, as well as attracting new ones.

A visit to their Monroe branch, formerly Warwick Savings Bank before Provident acquired it in 2006, has been completely renovated, “the goal to make customers more comfortable, as well as secure,” said branch manager, Kevin Kelly. Work began in March and punch-list items are being completed.

The bank has been totally rebranded in Provident”™s signature colors, but attention to customers”™ convenience and comfort played a major part of the renovation, Kelly said.  A new concierge desk welcomes people at the door, “which we feel is a much nicer way to greet customers and help direct them to the appropriate service.  Complimentary coffee, a play area for children and improved seating area with flat screen TV are designed with customer comfort in mind,” he said.

Provident is adding the popular coin collecting machines found in supermarkets and installing its own in the Monroe branch. “For those making night deposits, that drop-off box was moved to the same side of the building as the ATM and drive-through. It”™s a much better location for night drops and no one has to get out of their car,” Kelly said.

“We have really made use of much of the unused space the former layout had; the real difference is the way the bank has been reconfigured,” he said. “It offers more privacy to our customers because we”™ve been able to create two new offices. We”™re really pleased with the way it”™s turned out and getting a lot of positive feedback from customers.”

Provident Bank is also speeding up the process for those using teller services, adding high-speed currency exchange machines designed to cut down on transaction time and added a traditional vault with safe deposit boxes, something it did not offer before the renovation.

The bank is just completing a similar renovation to its branch in Warwick.  “I think those customers are going to be pleasantly surprised, just as our customers here in Monroe are,” Kelly said.