Five Low-Budget Financial Institution Building Refresh Ideas 

March 3, 2020

Looking for low-budget financial institution building refresh ideas to update the look of your locations? Here are five projects to consider that will dramatically improve the appearance of your branches without a big hit to your bottom line. 

Painting & Drywalling

Painting is one of the most affordable ways to make over your facilities. Some financial institutions need to paint high-traffic areas every year or even more often to keep walls and trim in good condition. Do a walk-through of your facilities every three to six months, examining walls for minor drywall damage, stains or wear. Consider new neutral paint color trends that create a modern look for your walls and ceilings. Colors can tie in with your brand or fit in with a certain mood you’re trying to create.

Repainting can also give staff a sense of pride in their workplace, and leave customers with a positive impression.

Energy Efficiency 

Even if you think your financial institution is doing a great job in the energy efficiency department, there are product improvements every day that you might want to take advantage of. The top areas to focus on are lighting, HVAC and water usage. Consider LED lighting upgrades, which not only save dollars, but also provide a brighter, more pleasant type of light. Low-flow faucets and toilets can make a dent in your operating budgets, as can heating and ventilation improvements. Adding insulation is another option that may reduce heat loss. 

Energy-efficient updates pay for themselves quickly because your business can reduce daily usage costs while also benefiting from marketing your green/eco-friendly priorities, which will go over well with the public.

Entrances

Aesthetically appealing, functional entryways give visitors and staff the best possible impression of your bank or credit union the second they walk through the door. Replace your doors, glass and walkways to ensure safety and good visibility.

Brand Compliance

Do your lobbies and office spaces live up to your brand promise? If you pledge quality and excellent service, make sure your building is well maintained and there aren’t any areas in a state of disrepair. Are your buildings easy to navigate, uncluttered and keeping up with the times? An outdated office will imply that you’re outdated in terms of technology too. 

Signage

Adding or improving signage is one of the most cost-effective marketing methods out there. Rather than purchasing advertising space in a publication, on TV or online, consider using your real estate to catch your customers when they’re on site or passing by. From marquee signage to indoor kiosks to outdoor drive-through lane banners, you can alert existing customers to your current promotions and educate them on services they might not otherwise know about.

With spring just a couple weeks away, it’s the perfect time to line up your 2020 facilities maintenance and improvement projects! If you’d like a J&P Site Experts team member to do site surveys to inspect your branches for financial institution building refresh improvements, give us a call at 262.346.8451 or send us a message via our website.