Brian Read

Chief Growth Officer STCU

Brian Read serves as the Chief Growth Officer at STCU, where he has responsibility for a wide array of areas. Prior to joining the credit union, Brian enjoyed a 30-year career in banking, most recently as EVP/Head of Retail Banking at Umpqua Bank. His experience also includes various leadership positions in credit administration, product management, business banking, private banking, and wealth management. Brian holds a bachelor's degree from Santa Clara University and an MBA from the University of Washington. He resides in Spokane, WA with his wife and two daughters.

Building for Growth - Human Centered and Innovative Branches

11:20 AM Panel Remix: If Nothing Was Off Limits: Future Branch Ideas That Break the Mold

The goal is simple: gather bold thinkers, surface unexpected ideas, and explore whether the concepts that sound the most unconventional may be exactly what the industry needs next. In this fast-moving panel remix, each speaker will present one bold branch concept, unconventional strategy, or strong opinion they believe could reshape the future of the branch experience. From operating models to customer engagement to physical design, every idea is put on the table for debate as fellow panelists challenge assumptions, explore practical implications, and examine what it would take to make the concept work in the real world. The conversation then shifts to the audience, giving attendees time to exchange their own boldest ideas at their tables, compare what feels possible today versus tomorrow, and surface the kinds of thinking that often sparks the most valuable conversations long after the session ends.

Be inspired to:

Brainstorm bold branch concepts that challenge conventional assumptions about service, staffing, and space
Explore how unconventional ideas could realistically translate into stronger customer and employee experiences
Take a step back from day-to-day concerns to imagine the future of branches 5 or 10 years from now

3:30 PM Panel: Breaking Branch Assumptions: Creating Operational Opportunities

Many operating models were designed for a world of heavy transactional traffic, high staffing levels and slow processes. This panel convenes operations leaders who are rethinking processes, staffing models, and control frameworks that no longer serve their organizations and are helping their branches and organizations to be more resilient, data-driven, and human-centered. Panelists will share the new ideas, insights gained and lessons learned as we imagine what the future of operational excellence looks like in today's shifting landscape.

Get key insights into:

Identifying outdated assumptions in your branch model and evaluate which still serve your organization
Leveraging operational data to make informed decisions about staffing, centralization, and automation
Safely testing and scaling process innovations in your branches