Banks turn to espressos, dancing robots to help keep US branches alive

Pepper the robot is seen at HSBC’s flagship branch on Fifth Avenue, New York, U.S., August 6, 2018. Picture taken on August 6, 2018. REUTERS/Rishika Dugyala

NEW YORK: Free WiFi, discounted cappuccinos, artwork, and a dancing robot are among the features banks across the United States are touting to convince customers that even in an era of smartphones it is still worth it to visit a bank branch. 

Banks are in a bind – branches are costly and keep losing traffic as phone apps take over day-to-day banking, but they need them because that is where customers still get advice, resolve tricky account issues or deal with cash and cheques.