People First Bank

New and rebranded branches for Australia's largest customer-owned bank

#Heritage Bank
#People First Bank
#People's Choice
#financial planners
#retail banking

The interior design project for People First Bank marks a significant milestone following the merger of People’s Choice Credit Union and Heritage Bank, resulting in a robust national mutual bank. As we transition into this exciting new era working alongside People First Bank teams on this national rebrand project of their physical branch networks, the guiding design philosophy is to reflect the brand’s commitment to offering a compelling alternative to traditional banking. Championing everyday people living everyday lives.

Design Clarity’s vision for People First Bank’s branch design not only responds to its brand pillars and personality but also fosters a nurturing environment for new and existing retail bank customers. This transformation is a bold step towards enhancing customer experiences, solidifying the bank’s position as a leader in the Australian mutual banking sector, and supporting a future where community and mutuality thrive.

Key design elements include a brand wall that houses the bank’s mission statement—“Banking for you, better for all”—with the personalities of customers front and centre. The arrival centres around a digital bar customers can use for sign ups, internet banking and advice sessions, with sit and stand options for inclusivity. There’s a welcome lounge and roaming meet & greet concierge. Visiting a branch is becoming less transactional and more conversational, so there’s open-plan semi-private pods for casual discussions, and more acoustically private meeting spaces for more confidential engagements and video conferencing support. People First Bank’s commitment to community and connection has been captured by First Nations artist Pat Caruso with an evocative commissioned piece entitled ‘New beginnings’ – as an important step towards a continuing journey of reconciliation. The branch transformation is all about dedication to improving the look feel and ease of everyday banking, bringing services, community and technology together, in a seamless transition that puts People First.

With a unique new brand identity developed by Frost, the new vision of People First Bank captures the essence of community, representing over 730,000 customers and $23.3 billion in assets. Custom desking, task, bar and customer seating elements by Infinity Commercial Furniture. Welcome seating is Australian designed Studio Pip by HG Furniture Solutions.

The interior design by Design Clarity also echoes this identity through straightforward, welcoming branch spaces that embody the bank’s values and personality: to be down to earth, caring, passionate, empowering and bold. The branch rebrand design integrates natural light, bold colour, vibrant pattern and straight-up clean lines, creating an inviting, approachable atmosphere that encourages empowerment, engagement, self-navigation and comfort.

This reassuring no-frills approach to the banking environment says we’re optimistic about a bright and sustainable future. The new rollout includes new build branches as well as fast-track, cost-effective uplifting refreshed and rebranded environments for the People First Bank community network across Australia.

The People First Bank semi-private joinery pods blend functionality with honest style, featuring curved privacy walls, ergonomic seating, and biophillic screening design elements. The arrangement fosters a relaxed conversational environment providing sufficient visual privacy for personalised services. Soft, diffused lighting complements the calming neutral palette, enhancing comfort and focus interjected with pops of bold colour, pattern and texture for brand recognition. Integrated greenery further reinforces a friendly, natural, welcoming feel. This thoughtfully designed set of spaces represents a shift from traditional, transactional banking to a more customer-centric, engaging experience, emphasising authentic straightforward, reassuring design principles through purposeful details.

Open plan self-contained semi-private consultation pods combine honest aesthetics, transparency and functionality. With natural textured timber finishes, ergonomic task furniture, and focus pendant lighting, this design reimagines banking as a collaborative, conversational experience, offering clients a comfortable and approachable space for conversation and advice.

This open-plan workspace redefines banking environments with clean lines, a light warm palette, and flexible seating options. Contemporary design elements like textured walls, natural wood tones, and integrated greenery create a modern, approachable, and inclusive atmosphere for staff and visitors alike.

The open-plan workspace features a blend of clean lines, textured walls, and soft lighting, creating a harmonious and collaborative setting. Natural wood finishes and vibrant greenery evoke warmth and approachability, while ergonomic furniture ensures comfort for staff and clients. Customers can choose to adjust the sit-to-stand desking to suit their preferences. This design facilitates seamless interactions, reflecting the shift toward customer-first, relationship-oriented banking. The inclusion of soft curves and subtle colour accents enhances the space's modern aesthetic, fostering a welcoming and professional environment tailored to evolving banking habits.

A central digital bar island opposite the branch entry enhances the customer experience with its inclusive, flexible format. Featuring sit-and-stand options, neutral tones, and integrated technology, this multifunctional hub supports self-navigation, advice sessions, and a seamless blend of welcoming inclusivity and practicality.

The digital bar is a cornerstone of the entry space, combining innovative design with inclusivity. With its ergonomic sit-and-stand options, it caters to diverse user needs while providing a technology-driven hub for sign-ups, self-service tasks, and interactive self-service online banking. Clean, minimalist lines and a neutral palette create a professional and approachable atmosphere. Integrated lighting highlights the bar’s contours and the rebated brand pattern profile detailing, emphasising personality without compromising on function. This feature encapsulates the seamless fusion of modern technology and customer-first design principles.

A modern workspace at People First Bank’s Flinders St Adelaide branch combines warmth with functionality. A semi-circular limed timber desk with sky blue upholstered customer seating anchors the setup, creating a calm and inviting area for personal interactions. Green biophillic vertical screening and textured flatweave carpet flooring inlays add a natural, welcoming aesthetic.

Interior view of People First Bank’s Flinders St Branch

A vibrant corner featuring boldly coloured mobile display plinths, dynamic lighting, and interactive displays showcases the community-driven spirit. This playful yet sophisticated space embodies inclusivity and engagement, reflecting the design's emphasis on fostering meaningful connections and championing bold, approachable aesthetics.

This corner blends functionality with a sense of community, featuring the vibrant colours as 3-diemnsional representations of the People First Bank new brand icons, with integrated digital content, and dynamic lighting. The design incorporates clean, modern lines softened by warm wood textures and playful shapes, creating an engaging yet professional space. The display units emphasize inclusivity and interaction, aligning with the mission of fostering connections within the space. Through bold yet approachable design elements, this area captures the essence of a community-driven ethos, celebrating individuality and mutuality in a dynamic and welcoming environment.

A bright and inviting lounge greets visitors, showcasing People First Bank's modern, community-focused ethos. This space features soft pastel tones, greenery, natural wood textures, and a mission statement wall that emphasizes the bank’s customer-centric philosophy.

The lounge area at People First Bank merges warmth and functionality. A harmonious blend of soft pastel tones, greenery, and natural wood elements creates a welcoming atmosphere for customers. The highlight is the brand wall, featuring the bank’s mission statement, which reinforces its customer-first approach. The open-plan layout promotes a conversational ambience, reflecting the evolving nature of banking as more relationship-focused than transactional. This design aligns with the bank's goal to offer a more inclusive, community-driven, and empowering experience for its members.

This lounge area features a stylish deep blue upholstered couch set into a cozy alcove with light lilac ribbed acoustic wall panelling by Woven Image, enhancing the sense of warmth and elegance. Above the couch, a circular light fixture with a pale yellow-gold centre casts a soft glow, while a strip of LED lighting lines the alcove's top, subtly illuminating the space.

An inviting lounge area with a curved deep blue couch, soft lighting, and warm peach-toned accents.

The glass facade highlights vibrant portraits and bold graphic elements, reflecting inclusivity and community pride. Natural light floods the space, inviting passersby to explore the interior’s welcoming atmosphere and innovative design philosophy.

The exterior features a striking glass facade adorned with large, vibrant portraits that celebrate individuality and community. Bold graphic patterns, combined with transparent panels, create a seamless connection between the street and interior. The use of natural light enhances the inviting appeal, while the imagery reinforces the people-first ethos. This contemporary design not only elevates the visual identity but also sets a welcoming tone for visitors, embodying a progressive and inclusive approach to modern banking environments.

The mission statement wall in brand colour 'ribbon blue' is halo illuminated so visible day and night

The mission statement wall acts as a backdrop and balance to the limed, muted tones and textures, defining the zones and enhancing the welcoming atmosphere of the bank branch on arrival. The foreground highlights a herringbone-patterned light floor, transitioning to a navy-blue inset carpet that frames a coral-pink accent chair and a low coffee table, creating a cozy seating nook at the welcome lounge.

The consultation desk exemplifies People First Bank's commitment to human-centered design. With its clean, modern aesthetic and integrated planter, it creates a calming and natural ambiance for customer interactions. Designed for open and approachable conversations, the desk’s layout reflects the bank’s shift toward a community-driven experience. This flexible space encourages meaningful connections while maintaining functionality and privacy, emphasizing the bank’s redefined customer service ethos.

An inviting consultation desk blends functionality with greenery, fostering open and welcoming conversations.

The consultation bar near the entrance, featuring a modern curved counter and inviting seating.

This entrance consultation bar creates a welcoming atmosphere with its long, white curved counter and light beige bar stools arranged around the cylindrical base. The warm-toned parquet-style floor is topped with a soft beige rug, adding texture and warmth to the space.

Inviting client advisory desks with a modern curved design, soft textures, and a featured leafy planter for a fresh touch.

This client advisory area combines functionality with a warm, welcoming aesthetic. A featured leafy green planter sits prominently on the curved, Modulo Arc curved limed timber panelling by Screenwood in NavUrban Albany Oak, a light limed finish, bringing a natural element to the space. Positioned atop the flush circular inlay flatweave recessed carpet, the pod's design is set up to be approachable, easy to use, and ideal for client interactions.

The Flinders Street branch exemplifies People First Bank's reimagined banking concept. Featuring an open-plan layout, warm timber accents, and integrated greenery, the space promotes collaboration and comfort. Distinct zones for customer interactions and private consultations flow seamlessly, fostering an inclusive environment. This branch highlights the bank’s forward-thinking approach, blending modern aesthetics with functional design to create a welcoming and versatile space that prioritizes both customer needs and community engagement.

A welcoming and open design transforms the Flinders Street branch into a modern community hub

A lush planter enhances privacy and comfort at a consultation desk, with a pendant light aiding acoustics.

This modern consultation area is designed for both functionality and comfort. A curved, light beige wooden desk with ribbed paneling sits atop a circular flatweave inset carpet by Shaw Commercial, fostering a cozy, welcoming atmosphere. Strategically positioned, a large leafy plant in a sleek white pot offers added privacy for consultations while enhancing the natural ambiance of the space.

External view of Collins St Melbourne branch located in the heart of the financial precinct of the CBD

People First Bank streetfront captures to eye of passersby with the large illuminated 'P' icon shield in the streetfront window beside the entry. There's a unique brand patterned graphic on the RHS which acts as a frame to the brand digital messaging and also houses the ATM bunker and large arrival screen with rolling content.