Capital One Bank to open cafes in D.C.

Time was that banks offered a toaster if you signed up for a checking account. But now a latte might just be the ticket to brew up new business, at least that’s what Capital One is counting on.

The McLean, Virginia-based bank will open two cafes in Washington, D.C., in 2018, where customers can enjoy a coffee and access free Wi-Fi in addition to learning about the bank’s financial instruments, WTOP Radio reported Sunday.

According to Capital One’s website, there are currently 21 such cafe locations in eight states, the closest to the D.C. area being one in Richmond, Virginia. The bank partners with Peet’s Coffee to provide customers with “handcrafted beverages and locally made baked treats.” Peet’s presently has eight locations in the District, according to its company website. 

While famous for its “What’s in your wallet?” slogan, Capital One wants to tell customers it cares about a “human connection,” not just dollars and cents.

“Most of us prefer a digital experience, but many of us want that human connection too, (and) that is where Capital One Cafes coming in, the company said, WTOP reported.

The shops — one in Chinatown near the newly minted Capital One Area and the other in Georgetown on M Street — will reportedly feature friendly roaming “Cafe Ambassadors” who will chat up cafe-goers about financial planning goals, according to WTOP. The cafes will also offer scheduled personal finance seminars and lend out meeting space to local nonprofits free of charge, the news radio station reported.