Santander Bank expands Work Café concept
Santander Bank is doubling-down on its banking/co-working concept in the United States.
The bank has opened the second U.S. location of its Work Café concept, in the Coconut Grove neighborhood of Miami, Fla. (The first is located in the Williamsburg neighborhood of Brooklyn, N.Y.). Open to the public, the innovative format combines digital banking services, a co-working space with private meeting rooms and a cafe under one roof.
Since its introduction in Chile in 2016, Santander Work Cafés have expanded to more than 200 locations in nine countries including the U.K., U.S., Brazil, Mexico, Chile and Spain.
“The opening of this Work Café underscores the bank’s efforts to provide a digital-first customer experience within our retail locations and allows our team members to spend more time providing personal assistance and guidance,” said Yajaira Lopez, head of branch banking at Santander Bank. “Whether it’s a traditional branch, Santander Financial Center or Work Café, we’re tailoring our in-person experience to customer preferences. Combined with our leading digital capabilities, we’re equipped to help customers bank anytime, anywhere.”
Along with expertise provided by the Santander Bank team, customers and non-customers can enjoy complimentary Wi-Fi, a cup of coffee, latte or espresso from the self-serve amenity bar as well as snacks sourced from nonprofit organizations and women-owned businesses. Santander Bank team members are on site to offer side-by-side assistance to customers utilizing mobile and ATM capabilities for everyday deposits and withdrawals.
“Our new Work Café provides a relaxed environment where customers, local business owners and entrepreneurs can seek personalized financial guidance or simply work, take meetings or develop their next big project,” said Patrick Smith, head of consumer & business banking at Santander Bank. “This space is an extension of our commitment to people and businesses throughout the communities we serve. The Work Café offers them the space they need to prosper.”
Santander Bank will celebrate the opening of the Coconut Grove Work Café on Friday, June 7 from 3-7 p.m. In addition to live music from local band French Horn Collective, Miami-based artist ABSTRK will be working on a project live at the Work Café.
The bank will also present a $100,000 contribution to the Small Business Development Center at Florida International University during the grand opening, representing an ongoing commitment to the Cultivate Small Business program in the region.