The Lab Two Years On – Much More Than Just a Store

They say time flies when you’re having fun and we’ve certainly had a ball at Ireland’s very first digital banking store. We can’t believe it’s already been two years since The Lab opened in Dundrum Town Centre, the highest footfall retail location in Ireland.

Opened in April 2013, The Lab has provides our customers with a friendly, fun and informative environment that educates them on our different self-service banking offerings and newest technology innovations. This includes showcasing the latest developments in AIB Internet Banking and our AIB Mobile Banking and AIB Tablet Banking Apps.

It brings together our leading edge technologies in a physical hub to showcase, test and introduce consumers to a leading digital banking experience in Ireland. The Lab is centred around digital self-service banking solutions that help our customers and it provides iPads, iMacs and free Wi-Fi for them to use.

The Lab has hosted visits from 26 international peer banks, across five continents and reached international acclaim and prestige when it was featured in CNN’s ‘Beautiful Banks of the Future’ in October 2014. The store was also shortlisted for the Retail Excellence Ireland award after it scored 100% for customer service in 2014.

With a combined social community of over 40,000 members, more than 300 exclusive co-creation and feedback sessions have been undertaken with our customers at The Lab. Through this initiative, customers have the opportunity to help us shape our current and future digital banking solutions while earning some fantastic goodies in return. Some of these technologies that have been tested by customers include prototypes for AIB’s SmartWatch App and most recently, the AIB Home App.

The Lab has also hosted tours from over 50 schools and 50 businesses and held some great events including online banking seminars, student events, family days and product education evenings. The Lab also runs a unique and innovative rewards programme that promotes engagement with through social media. Also available in the store are The Lab conference room facilities which are available to book free of charge during The Lab opening hours. To make your reservation, simply email The Lab to check availability, giving at least 48 hours’ notice.

The future is bright for The Lab as we look towards the next two years. Call into us today and discover for yourself what all the fuss around Ireland’s first digital banking store is about.

For all the latest information on The Lab, simply connect with The LabFacebookandTwitterpages where we’ll be sharing all the latest events, videos and product information.

Have you already been experimenting in The Lab? Tell us about your favourite feature in the comments below.

Allied Irish Banks, p.l.c. is regulated by the Central Bank of Ireland.