When consumers run into issues with a megabank, one of two outcomes are all but certain: Some customers will forgive, forget and stay—while others will take action, along with their accounts, and leave. In light of those potential actions, community bankers likewise have two choices: You can open your doors every morning and hope you get more Read More
How will retail banking’s changing service model define the branch of the future? With adoption of online and mobile banking on the rise, customers are visiting branches less frequently. But when they do, they’re looking to conduct high value transactions that require more personalized service. Results of a 2014 GenPact and YouGov online survey confirm this trend, indicating that younger bank customers are migrating Read More
The buying process has changed, and the sales function must follow. Customers have more access to information than ever before, giving them the ability to educate themselves throughout the sales process. Purchasing has become a self-guided process, often relying on advice from trusted connections on social media. Instead of relying on cold outreach, sales professionals should establish Read More
When channel switching on TV, I always tend to linger on three programs: Kitchen Nightmares with the always-profane Gordon Ramsey, Restaurant: Impossible with Robert Irvine, and Bar Rescue with Jon Taffer. Each host operates as a consultant dealing with booze or food rather than financial issues, but the situations they address, their approach to problem solving and Read More
Marketing has changed more in the past three years than in the previous thirty as new media channels, including social, have proliferated. Bank marketers know they need to move an increasing portion of their ad budget to digital. The questions are: how much and to what?The first thing to do is clearly understand who you are targeting Read More
In any company, rigorous strategic planning is bound to cause discomfort as old assumptions and long-held mindsets are challenged and re-examined. This was certainly the case for Billings, Montana-based First Interstate, an $8.7 billion community banking organization operating over 80 offices throughout Montana, Wyoming and South Dakota.Our strategic planning process explored new terrain and definitely shook things Read More
In recent years, banks have been focused on driving costs out of the branch network with self-service technology, branch closures and staff reductions. Yet, there is a genuine risk that driving any more cost out of the branches with across-the-board staff cuts will drive customers out of the bank altogether.“Workforce is the lifeblood of any organization,” according Read More
At one end of the continuum for branch lobby services and sales are those banks whose frontline staff are well trained and equipped to combine prompt, knowledgeable and courteous service with enviable cross-sale rates. At the other end … well, let’s just say no financial services provider wants to be there.Where does your branch performance land on Read More
As consumer digital migration drains ever more branch traffic, banks have been working through a delicate transition with branch staffing.Amid all the pressing questions, sales, service, headcount and skills, executives have drawn comfort from the assumption that they at least had a rough idea of how consumer branch usage would shake out. Ultimately, it has been thought, Read More
Microbusinesses, defined as firms with annual revenues of less than $1 million, constitute 90% of all businesses and thus represent a significant opportunity for banks. But given the small size of loans involved in this segment, how does a bank profitably serve these customers?The following is a suggested ten-step process for improving branch sales and service to Read More
