Our Bank clients are among the very largest occupiers and owners of property. Be it
administrative offices, retail branches, customer call centres or storage depots, we have seen
that collectively, they can take up a substantial proportion of a bank's asset base and require
constant management. Good strategic and operational control of the property portfolio can
therefore make a significant difference to a bank's performance.
The growth of personal banking, the automation of services and the restructuring within the
sector have all demanded a fresh look at delivery channels. Many European banks still have a
legacy of property holdings that were assembled - in terms of both style and location - for a
different era.
Cushman & Wakefield can actively help a bank to achieve a more productive property
portfolio and indeed has done so for many banks. We do this in the following ways:
Refinancing of assets on the balance sheet
To release money for the development of the core business
Greater flexibility to act
To streamline financial performance and render the bank less vulnerable
Often to generate an improved gearing
A reduction of exposure to property risk
Reconfiguration of administrative buildings
Reduction in cost by limiting the amount of space taken in traditional, prime city-centre
locations to those functions that really need to be there.
Purpose-built space for today's banking operations e.g. dealing floors and customer call
centres, disaster recovery and shared service centres.
Relocation of 'back office' activities to lower cost locations
More efficient, modern premises
A better working environment for staff
Reduction of the branch network
Reduction of retail outlets, although parts of Europe remain heavily over-branched.
Exacerbated by mergers which leave many banks with multiple representation in individual
towns.
C&W can advise on disposal of branches. We understand how to market what are often
unconventional premises for retailing.
A team fully aware of catchment dynamics in each town,
A comprehensive database of potential buyers
On-going management and valuation services
Global team of 5,000 help us provide better service
Web-based work order, preventative maintenance, project management and accounting systems to
a wide variety of office, retail and industrial properties.
Project Management service manages planning and execution of office working
environments.
Valuations provided for accounts purposes, mortgages, Stock Exchange requirements, unit
trust pricing, capital and other taxation purposes.
Value individual premises or global portfolios.
Benefit from our day-to-day experience of buying, selling and letting property in all
markets