When it comes to branch location selection, there’s a lot more to it than scouting out an attractive street corner and scoring a good lease deal. In fact, there’s a whole science behind it, and to make sense of that science, look no further than Steve Reider.

Reider gained experience in branch network strategy while working in the banking world, and he’s now the President of Bancography, a Birmingham, Ala.-based provider of consulting services, software tools and primary marketing research to banks and credit unions to support their branch, product and brand positioning strategies. In this episode of Shared Accounts With CU Times, Reider takes us on a journey through the evolution of the branch, from the opulent banking halls found decades ago in major cities to the small, tech-forward, consultative locations of today. He discusses why physical branches are closely tied to branding and business growth, how the pandemic shaped today’s branch trends and the development of the Bancography Plan tool.

Whether you’re a single-branch credit union or have a nationwide branch network in the hundreds, Reider’s expertise is sure to spark inspiration for your next brick-and-mortar move.