Pursuits
With Branches Fit for Bond Movie, Japan Shuns Mobile Banking
- Japan ranks last of 18 nations for customers banking by phone
- Innovative ventures now seek to lure depositors from branches
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For bank analyst Mac Salman, the Bank of Tokyo-Mitsubishi flagship branch in Tokyo is so majestic that he brings friends and family there when they visit Japan.
First, there’s the brightly lit paneled ceiling, the plush peach carpet and marble counter staffed by row after row of polite, uniformed tellers unencumbered by bulletproof glass to block cheerful interactions with customers. Then there’s the crew of ushers who patrol the floor, ready to guide every customer with an eager “May I help you?”