Bank Opens First Branch Inside a Coffee Shop

In a move that blends daily convenience with personal finance, customers in Beijing can now withdraw cash, open accounts, and talk investments—all while sipping a latte. This isn’t a pop-up or a concept store. It’s the real thing: China Merchants Bank has officially opened its first physical branch inside a Caffebene coffee shop, rethinking what a bank visit can look like.

The answer is simple: one. This is the first bank branch located inside a coffee shop in China, a first-of-its-kind collaboration between China Merchants Bank and Caffebene, launched in Beijing.

What Is a Coffee Bank?

A “coffee bank” is not a metaphor. It’s a fully operational bank branch embedded within a functioning coffee shop. In this case, it’s located inside a Caffebene café near Ciyunsi in Beijing. Customers can carry out standard banking transactions—deposits, withdrawals, account openings, and wealth management consultations—without leaving their coffee.

How the Coffee Bank Works

Inside the Caffebene location, China Merchants Bank has installed two deposit and withdrawal ATMs in one corner of the café, where customers were seen lining up to conduct transactions. Adjacent to the ATM area is a glass-walled private wealth management office, known internally as the “Golden Sunflower Financial Room,” where a bank representative provides consultation services.

Outside the private office is the latest video teller machine (VTM), enabling customers to connect remotely with customer service staff via video link to handle services such as applying for a debit card. There is also a digital banking experience zone, where clients can access online banking services using their laptops.

Why This Partnership?

According to Liu Jianjun, Deputy Governor of China Merchants Bank, the initiative aims to deliver a more relaxed, friendly, and humanized banking experience. “We’re delighted to collaborate with Caffebene to create the ‘coffee bank’ and offer customers a new kind of service environment,” he said. “People can handle their financial business in a pleasant atmosphere, and discuss wealth management topics over coffee as if speaking with a friend.”

What’s Next for Coffee Banking?

Caffebene entered the Chinese market over a year ago and has rapidly expanded to nearly 400 locations, with plans to open 100 new stores per month. China Merchants Bank and Caffebene intend to roll out additional coffee bank branches in major cities including Beijing, Shanghai, Hangzhou, and Chongqing. These new outlets will also be outfitted with state-of-the-art smart banking equipment to support a range of digital and in-person services.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a coffee bank?

A coffee bank is a physical bank branch located inside a coffee shop, allowing customers to perform traditional banking tasks—such as deposits, withdrawals, and wealth management—while in a café setting. The first one in China opened inside a Caffebene café in Beijing.

Which bank opened the first coffee branch in China?

China Merchants Bank (stock code: 600036) launched the first coffee bank branch in China in partnership with Caffebene, a South Korean café chain with hundreds of locations across China.

Where is the first coffee bank located?

The first coffee bank is situated in a Caffebene café near Ciyunsi in Beijing. It includes ATMs, a private financial advisory room, a video teller machine, and a digital banking zone.

What services can you get at a coffee bank?

Customers can access full banking services at a coffee bank, including deposits, withdrawals, account openings, debit card applications via video teller machines, and personal wealth management consultations.

Will there be more coffee banks in other cities?

Yes. China Merchants Bank and Caffebene plan to expand coffee bank locations to cities such as Beijing, Shanghai, Hangzhou, and Chongqing, with more smart banking devices at each new site.