Kathleen C. Orovitz has been named senior vice president and director of retail banking at Bank Rhode Island in Providence. She has worked for the bank for nine years and was most recently director of retail sales and service. In her new role, Orovitz oversees the bank’s retail delivery channels. She also is responsible for business development efforts across all business lines. Orovitz has a bachelor’s degree from Bryant College.
PBN: How important are branches to a bank’s
success?
OROVITZ: While customers prefer a choice for their banking, branches continue to be the dominant channel. The challenge is to translate the success of the in-branch customer experience across multiple convenient and accessible channels, including self-service options.
PBN: What role do branches play in BankRI’s growth strategy?
OROVITZ: As we expand our footprint geographically, new branch locations are essential to growing our customer base. We continue to make investments in our branch network and, in addition to opening five new branches since inception, we’ve renovated and upgraded seven existing branches. Success of this strategy is evidenced by strong and consistent deposit, loan and investment performance, plus increased customer activity.
PBN: What is the customer response to ‘Xcel’ branches?
OROVITZ: Customers continue to enjoy the experience that Xcel branches offer. Open seven days a week, these full-service branches provide convenience our customers need, and we deliver added value with kids’ play areas, coin-counting services, complimentary coffee, plasma TVs and public restrooms.
PBN:
OROVITZ: The delay in opening the branches has not held us back. We’ve already started business development activity in both communities and are actively recruiting our branch teams. Our energy is always focused on our customers, as they remain front and center of our business.
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