FINANCIAL MARKETING INSIGHTS

First national banks are confusing the heck out of us
When I was a new college freshman, a classmate who was also from out of town attempted to make a deposit in the local “first national bank.” It wasn’t the same “first national” that she had at home, but she hadn’t realized that. Some big confusion about her account ensued.
A couple of the frat boys next door thought it was hilarious.
What’s green and goes round and round all day?
Your first answer might conjure playground riddles from first grade: a frog in a blender. But it also might be the answer to a common struggle for merging institutions: their advisory boards.
Without proper planning and an intentional effort, blending cultures of two advisory boards may cause things to “go round all day.”

Do you live your slogan, or are you a copycat brand?
Nearly every financial institution has a slogan. They believe it helps set them apart from competitors. And they think it’s a key part of their brand. While that may be so, we see two big problems with a majority of these slogans: 1) they don't truly differentiate, and 2) there’s no real support behind the promise.
That's a big, bland problem.

Blending cultures in a merger–3 lessons from the Brady Bunch
Merger and acquisition activities are expected to heat up in 2025. So if your institution is joining or acquiring another, what do you do to ensure a perfectly blended culture that leads to consistent brand and customer experience at all branches?

Is your brand as appreciated as an extra button?
Why should you be an “extra button” brand? The extra button brand is the one who gets a customer by when he’s in a pinch. It's the brand that helps a customer save face. It's the brand that has your back.
Deliver that kind of service, and you’re the life saver that builds unquestionable loyalty.