FINANCIAL MARKETING INSIGHTS

Why a sales contest can put your brand on dangerously thin ice
Last week at a social event, I spoke with a man who works at a local community bank. I asked about his job and he shocked me by saying “I hate it!” then told me about how he and his associates are pressured to sell additional products to customers and he feels it’s “immoral to try and sell them things they don’t need.” Yes, he said immoral.

You're not making it easy for me to do business with you
Dear Community Banker X: Your technology is behind. Your ATM is dysfunctional and you don’t seem to care whether I can easily do business with you or not. I’m sending out an SOS.

Do I have that "new customer" smell?
Or have you gotten used to me? Every employee at every institution should be sniffing out new ways to help me as a customer—and build the business.

3 things every bank can learn from IKEA
Think IKEA is just about low-cost furniture for dorms? Think again. It's a company well-founded in purpose, offering nesting and affordable design for all. IKEA can teach every banker how to grow loyalty and profit from the inside out. Read on for our 3 favorite ways.

Employees: the power brokers of your brand
You work very hard to craft a consistent brand message. That only takes you so far.
The real power brokers of the brand are employees. Read more for just a glimpse of all the ways they can help build the brand—or torpedo it.