BISMARCK, N.D. –Two credit unions in this market are now sharing retail space with coffee shops.
Over the past year, two coffee shops have been placed in the same buildings as credit unions: Dunn Brothers Coffee inside Railway Credit Union at 3005 Rock Island Pl. in south Bismarck, and Scooter’s Coffee—which is not yet open—at Capital Credit Union on Burnt Boat Drive in Bismarck, according to KFYR.
Railway Credit Union leaders told the news outlet id the Dunn Brothers partnership was intentional and designed to make the branch feel more welcoming while adding convenience.
“The whole idea of a coffee shop and a credit union coming together, it’s all about bringing in people and making people feel warm and welcome. It’s just a nice one-stop shop that you can do a couple different things and then go on with your day,” Dustin Bitz, vice president of risk management at Railway Credit Union, told KFYR.
Changing Nature of Branch Visits
Bitz further told the news outlet that matters because the way people use credit unions has changed, with fewer visits centered on routine transactions and more visits focused on finding solutions.
“Because it’s not just coming in, cashing a check. It’s more coming in and getting advice, it’s more problem-solving, even dealing with fraud and scams. People just need assistance, and I think that’s what helps,” Bitz told KFYR.
Bitz explained to KFYR that Railway Credit Union’s previous presence in Bismarck could be easy to miss, but the newer location is more visible, and the coffee shop has made a quantifiable difference.
“From our different Bismarck branch that we had, it’s probably doubled as far as the amount of foot traffic,” Bitz said.
CU Approached Coffee Shop With Idea
On the coffee side, Dunn Brothers Owner Patty Locken told KFYR sharing a building with the credit union has meant shared customers—people who stop for one errand and end up completing two.
Locken said Railway approached Dunn Brothers with the idea.
“They came to us. They presented us with the idea. When Paul with the bank came, we took it seriously, I said, ‘I think this could be something great,’” Locken was quoted as saying.
Both Bitz and Locken said the partnership works best when there is a culture fit, and the two businesses prioritize customer/member service.
