Ever been to a bank and it seems awfully silent plus a tad bit awkward? Well, with new collaboration between Bask Bear Coffee and AmBank, you can now enjoy the best of both banking and coffee culture all in one location that highlights a social aspect like never seen before.
AmBank Partners With Bask Bear Coffee To Revolutionise Community Banking
AmBank today unveiled its new concept of ‘community banking’ together with Bask Bear Coffee in three of its branches in the Klang Valley, Penang and Kedah where customers get to enjoy a café-in-a-bank experience as they bank-in-a-café.
The novel integration of these two experiences provides an opportunity for AmBank to drive relationship banking to new heights by growing closer to the community while positioning Bask Bear Coffee as the leading coffee brand that has disrupted and innovated the café market with handcrafted coffees, Signature Toasties and artisanal meals.
When you waltz into AmBank x Bask Bear Coffee, you’ll be greeted by personnel who’ll assist you with your needs as you sip on a complimentary cup of Bask Bear’s unique coffee. There are different areas suited for private conversations, personalised consultations and online transactions that allow for a more social aspect in banking, which is the main aim of this collaboration.
Bryan Loo, founder and CEO of Loob Holding Sdn Bhd who owns Bask Bear Coffee, described this unique collaboration as “an evolution whose time has come”. He said: “This maiden joint-effort with our leading bank partner is truly from the core of our brand DNA as Bask Bear Coffee is always about ‘Being Bold, Being Brave’. As far as we know, this is the first such concept where a cosy café intertwines with a dynamic functioning bank branch.
Today, Bask Bear Coffee is Malaysia’s leading innovative coffee disruptor with our very own Aren® palm-sugar, a traditionally-sourced healthier option from Borneo. Aren® has a unique tinge of caramel that accentuates our barista-handcrafted dark-roast Arabica coffee.
As the first to offer Halal Korean Toasties in this market, our Cheezy and Korean Spicy Chicken Katsu, Double Down Hash Brown and Classic Beef Toasties have become the best-sellers. And next week, we’re introducing a new range to complete our offering which means we will have toasties for every occasion and to suit every palate – all freshly-toasted when you order.”
This concept has both brands existing side-by-side in adjoining lots, yet they are integrated where it matters – customer experience, customer choice and functionality. Bask Bear customers can have full access to AmBank’s suite of banking and financial services while AmBank customers can enjoy the café ambience complete with Bask Bear Coffee’s barista hand-crafted coffees, Signature Toasties and light meals.
Aaron Loo, Managing Director, Retail Banking, AmBank said, “We are working towards redefining the customer experience at our branches starting with community banking. Our pilot of this concept has yielded positive outcomes with higher customer footfall and stronger customer engagement with the branch. With AmOnline being able to handle most transactional needs, we needed to ensure that customers who come to the branch enjoy a differentiated experience. We will be continuing to innovate our branch network by working with partners to create a differentiated experience based on the needs of the community that the branch serves.”
10 Lucky Winners To Receive Free Cup Of Coffee Daily For A Year
Today’s official rollout took place at Bandar Baru Bangi, Sungai Dua in Penang and Lagenda Heights in Sungai Petani, Kedah. These branches which had their soft opening recently, have seen good response from the business community and the café crowd in these areas.
To celebrate the launch and collaboration, 10 lucky winners will be selected to receive a complimentary cup of coffee a day for 365 days. This campaign will run from 9 March 2023 to 8 June 2023 and is open to customers who successfully perform recognised banking transaction(s) at any of these 3 cafe banking locations. This is on top of the AmBank and Bask Bear Coffee joint promotion of RM5 per 9oz cup of hot Americano/ Latte for walk-in purchases with AmBank credit or debit cards. Offers valid from 9 March 2023 to 31 December 2023.
Bryan Loo explained that this was an idea whose time has come as convenience used to only be related to the digital realm. “Now convenience is extended to the entire experience. Customers can order online and come in for their drinks and food while they do their banking. Conversely, banking customers can perform their banking transactions online and then drop by the branch for a personalised consultation whilst enjoying the Bask Bear Coffee ambience,” he said.
He is confident that this fruitful collaboration would benefit both brands as well as their customers. “We look forward to this continued collaboration with AmBank and will jointly explore other locations,” he added.
At the launch, Bryan Loo also announced a target of having 50 such outlets in AmBank branches throughout the country in the near future. At a Press conference after the launch, this target was concurred by Mr Aaron Loo.
Source: Press Release
