Based on extensive research and collaboration with students at the Penn State Smeal College of Business, the banking center will be specially designed to engage customers through an experience tailored to their unique financial needs and preferences.
First National Bank is actively partnering with Penn State’s Management 496 class to create the ideal student banking experience, including branch design and marketing strategies.
The location will leverage interactive technology and a sleek, modern layout to better facilitate customer conversations and opportunities to provide valuable education around personal finance. The concepts generated from this collaboration with students will also influence future branch design and delivery channel strategies for First National Bank.
"Branch banking will continue to evolve to adapt to changing client preferences," said Vincent J. Delie, Jr., President and CEO of F.N.B. Corporation and CEO of First National Bank. "We are excited to include our future client base, the students, in the process as we evaluate innovative options for our next generation technology and banking centers."
The input provided by the students will also help determine the optimal way to incorporate First National Bank’s technology into the banking experience. This includes the Bank’s comprehensive suite of online and mobile banking services, including mobile deposit and an interactive online budgeting center, Apple PayTM, a growing network of Intelligent ATMs and other emerging platforms.
Kevin Hernandez, a Penn State student in the Management 496 class, commented on the value the project provided for both students and the Bank, "Working with First National Bank gave our team the real hands-on experience of working with a client face-to-face to provide input on something that is valuable to them. Working with C-level executives has helped prepare us for the real world when we have to collaborate with a team that is bringing new opportunities to their company. Presenting our results was most rewarding, and I am excited to see how our research and consulting really plays into the next step of their process."
Gus Colangelo, Assistant Professor of Management, added, "As you can see through the work we have done with First National Bank, MGMT496 provides students with an opportunity to work on real-world problems with actual clients; a Management practicum of sorts. Over the years we have had success with a variety of corporate and University projects, and I continue to be impressed with the quality of results and recommendations made by the student teams."
