“Studio B”, Clydesdale and Yorkshire Banking Group’s (CYBG) industry-leading customer innovation lab, opened at 150 Kensington High Street, London on Monday 24 April and is a refreshing new step into a completely new way of banking. The look and feel, and experience of the pioneering space challenges traditions and invites the customer to get involved – Studio B has an innovation lab dedicated to creating new ways to think about life and money.

Studio B is the project of CYBG who commissioned leading design and architecture studio, Four-by-Two, to bring the proposition to life. Four-by-Two connects customers with brands though seamless customer journeys, using the sense to humanise tech. Four-by-Two’s team of architects, interior designers, graphic designers, motion graphic designers, creative technologist, film makers and projection mappers have worked collaboratively with CYBG to create this new sector defining project.

In Studio B, Four-by-Two has created a space which forms the starting blocks to reshape people’s relationship with money, and it uses a truly omnichannel approach, connecting experiences across physical and digital space. Mark Beever, Creative Strategy Director of Four by Two: “Most large banks have an innovation lab sited in the HQ, the exciting shift which Studio B creates is that it puts customers at the heart of this questioning, exploratory process.

The results of this will be faster application of new ideas that actually benefit all of us, the way we live and consequently manage money has never been in such an exciting period of change. Studio B enables customers to push every button to help in that transformation.” Four-by-Two has created an industry first within retail banking, by creating a unique customer experience with Studio B: a Lab focused on listening to customers, involving them within the process of developing a new way of banking, that will have impact immediately, this is NOT a futuristic agenda.

The Lab uses a transparent process to communicate industry leading ideas which the public can engage with, challenge, comment on and share. The space contains interactive and tactile storytelling to lift the lid on how Studio B works, it will also host a series of events and talks. Studio B also contains a fully digital branch, for customers to engage with the unique B offer and its complimentary services in a completely fresh way.

Adam Storey, Creative Director of Four by Two: “Studio B will break down all the characteristics that have become synonymous with banking and getting under the skin of what people want from their money, and their bank. Studio B helps customers pre-empt and assist with life’s financial challenges and opportunities and is all about money working to support your lifestyle, empowering people to control of their finances with ease.”

Design: Four-by-Two