Union Bank

Various Locations

A coordinated system of visual communication across Union Bank branches brings clarity to the retail experience, strengthening trust and customer confidence at every touchpoint.

Union Bank set out to transform its retail branches into clear, welcoming environments that express its brand and support meaningful interactions between customers and staff. Across a diverse national portfolio, the challenge was to create a system that brings consistency and clarity at scale, while adapting to a variety of urban and suburban settings, different branch formats and layouts, and regulatory requirements. 

The solution needed to preserve what makes the brand distinct, expressing its values and identity in a way customers can quickly recognize, understand, and trust.

Altitude Design Office approached the work by studying how customers move, decide, and engage within the branch. Through stakeholder workshops, journey mapping, and competitive analysis, we identified key moments across the experience: arrival, engagement, service, and advisory. 

From this framework, Altitude designed a coordinated system of visual communication spanning identity, wayfinding, marketing, community, and heritage. 

Altitude designed a cohesive kit of parts, including exterior signage, interior wayfinding, digital displays, and environmental graphics to work together to create a seamless branch experience across all touchpoints. The system uses clear hierarchy, color, scale, and messaging to guide customers with ease while reinforcing the Union Bank brand. 

In select locations, Altitude designed curated exhibits featuring historic artifacts tied to the bank’s California roots, connecting customers to a legacy of trust and stewardship. All elements are aligned with compliance standards, ensuring accuracy without compromising clarity.

The result is a flexible, repeatable system that makes branches easier to navigate, strengthens brand recognition, and supports more confident interactions for both customers and staff.

Client: Union Bank Project Managers: JLL, CBRE Architects: Brereton, Cyrus Cowasjee Architects, LK Design Group Signage & Specialty Fabricators: TFN, RNF, Xibitz, Ironwood Fabrication, Coast Sign, Stratus