In particular, they are focusing on this architecture to support visiting customer needs at such locations, e.g., access to remote experts, access to information etc. That puts the emphasis on the role of a “branch” location in supporting local customers, probably using limited on-site staff and self-service kiosks, rather than as a remote “office” for internal staff activities.

Needless to say, visiting consumers will all be carrying their own mobile devices and will be able to access resources on their own. So, the “branch” strategy is a way to offer all flavors of “face-to-face” contacts to a customer who needs to be on premise for whatever reason.