Jean‑Pierre Lacroix, President of SLD, speaks at The Financial Brand Forum, revealing how the $124 trillion Great Wealth Transfer is fundamentally reshaping the physical branch. Drawing on insights from his latest Future of Wealth Study, Lacroix explores the reality that while banking is increasingly digital, a deep-seated emotional connection remains the ultimate driver of next-gen loyalty. By […]
Financial Brand Forum 2026 Read More »
The Inheritance Imperative: How Branch Design Captures Loyalty in The Great Wealth Transfer A $124 trillion wealth transfer is reshaping the future of wealth management. Based on a dual-market study of 1,600 investors and 750 bankers across Canada and the United States. Our latest report, The Inheritance Imperative, explores how emotion, experience, and physical space
The Teller Paradox: Speed Versus Privacy in Bank Teller Modernization This study analyzes insights from more than 850 North American consumers and 500 banking leaders across the U.S. and Canada to examine the growing tension between branch automation and human connection. It reveals that customer loyalty is driven less by speed and efficiency, and more
The Teller Paradox: Speed Versus Privacy in Bank Teller Modernization Read More »
SLD has been awarded Silver at the 2025 International Design Awards (IDA) for its transformative work on the Chongqing Rural Commercial Bank (CQRC) Flagship. This recognition underlines the project’s innovation and design excellence on an international level. Located in Chongqing’s Jiefangbei district, the CQRC Flagship spans three storeys and over 16,000 square feet. The project
SLD Takes Silver at IDA for CQRC Flagship Read More »
As we enter the new year, we’re going to talk about how the Blink Factor extends beyond the world of branding and design, creating a fun design trends guide. Here are our top picks for the biggest Blink Factor design moments of 2025. Immersive Live Experience at Eurovision Eurovision 2025’s stage show took inspiration from
Top Blink Factor Design Moments of 2025: The Year’s Standout Read More »
From subtle changes like Walmart’s new logo to Cracker Barrel’s brand design crisis, 2025 was a year full of brand and logo design stories. 60% of customers report avoiding a brand if its logo feels unattractive or outdated. With brand logos and branding related to customer trust, these are essential items that every brand needs
What were SLD’s favorite brand redesigns of 2025? Read More »
2026 brings a new set of pressures and expectations as global tensions, economic strain, and rapid technological shifts reshape how consumers interact with brands. In this atmosphere of rapid change, relevance comes from understanding the tensions people are navigating and designing experiences that bring confidence and clarity. In our 2026 Trends Report, we explore six
2026 SLD Trends Report Read More »
Looking ahead isn’t just about following trends; it’s about understanding the deeper shifts that shape consumer thinking and behaviour. As we enter 2026, the brands that stand out won’t simply adopt new tools or aesthetics they will leverage these shifts strategically. This year, we’ve identified five emerging signals of change that marketers should watch closely
Think Ahead for 2026: What Undercurrents Beyond Trends Brands Need to Know Read More »
We’re excited to announce that SLD has been honored as a winner in the RTF (Rethinking the Future) Awards. This international design competition recognizes excellence and innovation in architecture and design. Our design work for the CQRC Flagship was selected for its bold vision and ability to connect brand and consumer experiences. The Rethinking The
SLD Win’s its First RTF Award Read More »
SLD is celebrating the end of the summer with an award from the 2025 LOOP Design Awards for our work for the CQRC Flagship Experience. The project reimagines the flagship experience by blending functionality with storytelling, creating an immersive space that reflects CQRC’s brand values while engaging customers on an emotional level. Established in 2019,
Design with Impact: SLD Wins 2025 LOOP Interior Design Award Read More »
DOES YOUR BRAND HAVE THE BLINK FACTOR? TRY THE FREE BETA VERSION OF OUR TOOL TO FIND OUT The Think Blink Assessment is an AI-powered brand evaluation tool built on the 7 tenets of the Think Blink Manifesto. This free and fast assessment allows you to compare your brand to your top competitor and find out
Think Blink Assessment Tool Read More »
Diversity has become a contentious topic across North America, as companies navigate shifting political pressures while developing their strategies. These pressures have created differing perspectives on the value of diversity, leaving many brands uncertain about the right path for their organization. Some have fully embraced and reinforced diversity initiatives, while others have scaled back or
Designing for Diversity: Why Inclusive Branding Is More Than Just Representation Read More »
Download Free Chapter Buy Now Indigo Walmart Amazon US Friesen Press Booktopia Barnes and Nobles Amazon CA Barnes and Noble To request a presentation of the ThinkBlink Manifesto to your team by author Jean-Pierre Lacroix, please fill in the following form: Media Coverage Business Insider Chief Executive The Dealer Playbook The Packer Interview AdWeek Thrive
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While digital banking continues to reshape the industry, physical branches remain a vital part of the customer journey, especially when it comes to life’s bigger financial decisions. Their enduring relevance highlights the value of human connection in a world of automated transactions. Today’s most forward-thinking banks are transforming their branches into relationship-driven spaces, blending intuitive
Why Customers are Still Using Bank Branches Read More »
In partnership with Kadince, this webinar explores how the concept of community is shifting, and with it, the role of financial institutions in fostering trust, engagement, and long-term loyalty. Jean-Pierre Lacroix, President of SLD, and John Hughes, Chief Data & Analytics Officer at The Customer Obsession Advantage, emphasize that banks and credit unions must go beyond
Redefining Community: How Financial Institutions Can Stay Relevant in 2025 Read More »
In recent years, branding has been all about polished storytelling, aspirational lifestyles, and curated perfection. But somewhere between the perfectly aligned flat lays and hyper-curated copy, something got lost: realness (a.k.a “authenticity”). Some brands are trading polish for personality, control for chaos, and perfection for raw, messy humanity. We see the anti-brand strategy commonly adopted
Perfect Is Boring: What Big Brands Can Learn from the Rise of the Anti-Brand Read More »
Community banks have long been trusted for their personalized service and deep community roots. However, as technology reshapes consumer expectations and larger institutions dominate the digital and marketing landscape, community banks face increasing challenges in maintaining relevance. SLD conducted a consumer study to uncover perceptions of community banking, identify unmet needs, and reveal strategies that
The Future of Community Banking: Banker’s Perspective on Community Banking Read More »
We’re proud to announce that our flagship design for Chongqing Rural Commercial Bank (CQRC) has won Gold at the 2025 Shanghai Design Awards by BETTER FUTURE! From architectural flow to emotional resonance, every detail of the flagship was meticulously designed by our global team to reflect the values of a brand that stands for trust,
SLD Wins Gold at the 2025 Shanghai Design Awards for CQRC Flagship Design Read More »
