In-branch marketing integrates digital video, music, on-hold messages.

• Position: New Products

A multibank holding company, New York Community Bancorp Inc.(assets: $30 billion), has used multimedia technology in its branches in an effort to create consistent video and audio messages for its customers to see and hear.

The holding company's two bank subsidiaries are New York Community Bank, a state-chartered savings bank (180 locations throughout Metropolitan New York) and New York Commercial Bank (38 locations in the city and four neighboring counties).

The vendor for the multimedia project is Impressions on Hold International (IOHI), New York, which calls itself an audio and visual branding/marketing company.

The project had three elements: a system for on-hold updates at all locations; public space music at all locations; and digital signage at 160 locations.

The system has enabled the holding company's banks to maintain a consistent professional image throughout the branch network, according to Bob Dufort, first senior vice president.

Forty-two inch plasma display screen were installed in each branch lobby to promote awareness of the bank brand and products to customers who were waiting to be served. Display screen can be tailored to address the needs of individual branches. For example, during the holiday season, the screen promotes...