Why a virtual bank is making bank branches part of its US launch

Iam Bank, a startup virtual bank based in Ireland that has offices in the U.K. is set to launch in the U.S. this fall — and it’s going to do it via a physical bank branch. The bank, which is now in the process of buying a Chicago-based bank it declined to name, said it will set up its first branch, known as a “customer experience center” in Milwaukee in the fall.

“We’ve done a lot of research and it all comes down to trust and credibility,” said Simona Stankovska, head of communications for Iam Bank. “For us, the research shows that people have a massive distrust of purely digital offerings. They need to have a human touch, they need to be able to communicate with someone.”

Despite expectations about the death of the branch, recent surveys support Iam Bank’s view that consumers — especially millennial ones — will continue to demand a human touch to banking.

Read the full story on tearsheet.co

More in Marketing

YouTube’s upmarket TV push still runs on mid-funnel DNA

YouTube is balancing wanting to be premium TV, the short-form powerhouse and a creator economy engine all at once.

Digiday ranks the best and worst Super Bowl 2026 ads

Now that the dust has settled, it’s time to reflect on the best and worst commercials from Super Bowl 2026.

In the age of AI content, The Super Bowl felt old-fashioned

The Super Bowl is one of the last places where brands are reminded that cultural likeness is easy but shared experience is earned.