Breathing life into branch bankingI'd like to think that the bank branch is making a comeback. The bank branch is iconic. Think of all the famous scenes in movies that have taken place inside a bank branch, whether it's the bank run from It's a Wonderful Life or the madness of Dog Day Afternoon. Processing ContentThe bank branch is an American institution, but like so many other institutions it's been moldering in the face of technology. In the second quarter, there were 13 more bank branches opened than closed, according to the nonprofit National Community Reinvestment Coalition.