Maybank opens another ‘Instagrammable’ lifestyle branch 

Maybank Singapore's newest branch has a bright space that brings a sense of tranquility.

Maybank Singapore Ltd. has opened its second lifestyle banking space with a café that will double as a venue for workshops, seminars, and gatherings for customers.

“A lot of banks are closing branches, they have been downsizing,” Adam Tan, head of Community Financial Services at Maybank Singapore, told Singapore Business Review.

“But for Maybank, we have been keeping our branch premises intact, largely because we believe that the branches are the place for our customers to engage with us. It's a place for high-value transactions,” he added.

The newest branch of Maybank Singapore, which has the most branches amongst foreign banks in Singapore at 18, features Joe & Dough, which serves both breakfast and lunch. It also has a grand piano that auto plays music at the lounge.

“It's our key touchpoint with our customers, and that's the differentiating part of Maybank — we're not shy in investing a bit to make the branch a more welcoming space,” Tan said.

“We also have alfresco dining. It took us a while to get the permit approved, but it is finally set up. We can now accommodate even more customers, especially those who enjoy the warmer outdoor environment. They can enjoy their coffee there,” he added.

The expanded space of MSpace@Maybank Tower offers enough room to host events. “We can easily accommodate 30 to 40 people for small seminars, ranging from lifestyle events to financial and investment talks,” Tan added.

The lifestyle branch is also friendly to people with disabilities.

“The [room] nearest to the counter is a teller room, and at times we may have customers who are handicapped,” Tan said. “So this room is dedicated to them, when they have issues moving around, we can move them to the room to help them facilitate their banking transactions and services.”

The new branch features green features such as a preserved moss wall and ample amount of natural lighting. “Using a natural landscaping concept and taking advantage of the bright space at MSpace, which is surrounded by glass walls, we have light coming from all angles,” Tan said.

“This inviting daylight floods the area, creating a bright and spacious environment that brings a sense of tranquility,” he added.

The offices at the second level also feature designs resembling the trees at Gardens by the Bay, which Tan said “gives the space a unique feel, unlike a typical banking hall or café, making it quite Instagrammable.”

He said Maybank’s lifestyle branch is part of their business philosophy to “humanize financial services.”

“This is one of the reasons why our staff stay with us for a long time — they refuse to leave the bank,” Tan said. “Likewise, our customers feel very engaged with us and enjoy our services. This is further complemented by MSpace, which is built to be a space for community engagement.”