Bank Marketing Show: Recent Episodes
Chris Bates & Dan Novalis
The BANK MARKETING SHOW, the podcast that engages and informs you for success in today's marketplace. It's the show that will make you a better marketer with trends, tactics and inspirations from experts and industry leaders. If you're wanting to impact your personal success and position your company as the best choice in your market, then you're in the right place!
Ep 87 – Essential Website Strategy Insights with Brent Feldman Many community banks don’t hesitate to invest hundreds of thousands, or even millions, in a new brick and mortar branch—but balk at the cost of a new website. In this episode, we...
Financial education isn't just about blogging — it’s one of the most powerful tools a community bank can use to connect with its audience, build trust, and drive long-term growth. And, it’s one that many customers are requesting – information...
Turning Stories Into Strategy: Humanizing Your Brand Think you need a massive ad budget to stand out? Think again. This episode is all about how community banks can turn everyday staff and customer stories into powerful, memorable marketing—while...
Forget billboards and banner ads — this episode is all about unexpected, low-cost, high-impact marketing moves that big banks simply can’t pull off. Chris and Dan share real-life guerrilla marketing campaigns from community banks that sparked...
Podcasting isn’t just for influencers anymore—banks are getting in the game. In this episode, Chris and Dan sit down with Caleb Stevens, VP of Marketing at SouthState Bank’s Capital Markets Division and host of the Community Bank Podcast. From...
How do you grow your bank’s social media presence without relying on your bank's own profiles? Most banks don't - but in this episode, Chris and Dan explore a different strategy: using your own staff as influencers and brand ambassadors....
We’ve met a lot of bank and credit union marketing teams – and we’ve noticed some commonalities among those that see more success in their efforts. In this episode, we talk about the role of a marketing director (or VP, or manager, or any...
Many community banks are missing out on valuable marketing opportunities. Statistics show that many community banks aren’t currently utilizing cookies, which used to put them at a disadvantage. However, with cookies being increasingly phased out,...
Regardless of your asset size and marketing bandwidth, budgeting is a challenge. Marketers never have as much as they would like, and those setting the budgets might see it as an expense (hint: it's not! It's an investment!). In this...
Chris and Dan discuss the critical importance of business culture in impacting and enhancing marketing efforts. They explore how a positive internal culture can translate into authentic and engaging marketing & content that connects with...
It’s strategic planning season – time to start figuring out what your bank should do next year, and get your budget in order. In our work with banks and credit unions across the country, we’ve noticed some themes emerge in the form of common...
Most bank marketing teams are cash-, personnel-, and time-strapped. In this episode, we break down ways to get more from what you already have – through strategic partnerships, networking, outsourcing, and tech. In this episode: ...
Even though email has been around for decades, surprisingly, many banks are not utilizing the channel optimally (or at all!). In this episode, Chris and Dan dive deep into email marketing for banks – everything from the mundane birthday email...
It's a Bank Marketing Show Best-Ever Summer Replay! This week, we replay one of our most downloaded episodes ever - 'How Targeted Marketing Gives You ROI'. Listen in on why targeted marketing matters and gives you returns, and what you should do about...
It's a Bank Marketing Show Best-Ever Summer Replay! This week, we replay one of our most downloaded episodes ever - The Importance of Brand Voice. Listen in on why brand voice matters and what you should do about it in your bank. A great brand...
Generative AI, like ChatGPT, can be a helpful tool alongside what you already use at your community bank. But many banks don’t know where to start, or are worried about compliance issues from using it. Banks need to think about how they talk to AI,...
Chris and Dan dive deep into the world of bank marketing to uncover the secrets of gaining a competitive edge. They share practical insights and actionable steps for banks to effectively leverage their competitive advantage, ultimately leading to...
Even with the rapidly shifting financial landscape, community banks remain a pillar of the local economy. Up until recently, interest rates remained largely unchanged and favorable for business owners and buyers. But over the last 18 months, a shift...
Chris and Dan dive into the ever-evolving landscape of AI in banking. Drawing from their experiences, they shed light on the prevalent use of AI and its transformative impact on marketing strategies within the banking sector. They emphasize the...
Chris and Dan dive into the impact of a bank's team structure on its marketing operations. No matter the size of your bank or credit union, there are a few key things to keep in mind when structuring the marketing team. In this episode, Chris...
In this episode, we dive into the importance of incorporating video into bank marketing strategies. We highlight the power of storytelling through video content and how it can create a more engaging experience for your audience. We stress the...
Content marketing is an oft-misunderstood thing – most banks just produce blog posts about financial topics, and sometimes collect them into a periodic newsletter. But are you really adding value to your customers with a blog post on “the...
SEO is a powerful but often misunderstood tool to improve your bank’s rankings on search engines – which translates directly into being found, especially among younger, digital-first generations. In fact, search rankings are one place that it’s...
Digital advertising has never been more important for community banks – it’s one of the easiest ways to make your brand more visible to younger customers, who spend the most time online. For many banks, digital ads have become a first...
Community banks, it’s time to stand out from the crowd. Rebrands are no small feat – and to make them successful, lots of parts need to align in order to develop something that no other bank can replicate. In this episode, we interview Jeff...
We’re returning with the fourth episode of the Major Marketing Challenge Series – where we discuss the biggest problems facing bank marketing teams. In our work with banks, we find that many teams end up spending time on tasks that don’t add to...
We’re returning with the third episode of the Major Marketing Challenge Series – covering the risks of scattered marking tactics. In this episode, we discuss the common struggle of scattered marketing in the banking industry. We emphasize the...
We’re kicking off the second episode of the Major Marketing Challenge Series – covering the unexpected power of proactive marketing in banking. In this episode, we dive into the challenges of proactive versus reactive marketing in the banking...
We’re kicking off a new set of episodes called the Major Marketing Challenge Series – covering solutions to the big picture challenges that we see most commonly in our work with community banks and credit unions across the country. In this...
Almost all community banks today struggle with attracting younger people to replace deposits that leave due to an aging customer base. Countless articles, keynote speeches, and podcasts have been devoted to learning how to connect with Millennials and...
As we wrap up 2023, we reflect on some of the highlights and takeaways we had on the show this year, and pull out a few gold nuggets for you to take into 2024. We're truly thankful for all you listeners and viewers for tuning into the Bank Marketing...
Data-driven marketing doesn’t need to be difficult. Community Banks of any size can use data-driven techniques to better understand their customers and predict their needs. In this episode, Dan and Chris chat with Dvir Ginsburg and Ilan Flax...
Marketing plays a vital role in attracting new customers, but equally important is the need to focus on retaining existing customers – after all, it’s cheaper and often easier! In this episode, Chris and Dan dive deep into the importance of...
The concept of “work-life balance” has been around for years – but we think it’s time to reframe it and recognize that work and life are not separate, not something to keep in balance. Rather, the focus should be on integrating the two...
A great brand voice has the same effect as a finely-tuned orchestra playing an unforgettable melody. For your bank, this means memorable differentiation from your competitors. Developing your brand voice involves determining the right tone,...
Connection – with your team, your bank, your customers, and your own self - is the key to great leadership and to creating a truly engaged team. It starts at the top. Your bank’s leadership needs to feel confident in and connected with the values,...
Ep 37 - The Secret Sauce of Recruitment Job seekers’ attitudes have shifted dramatically over the last few years – forcing changes to the hiring process. Applicants today have a different view of what they will and won’t accept in the...
Ep 36 - Avoiding Quick-Win Marketing To differentiate your community bank from competitors, it's important to identify your "special sauce" or unique strength that attracts your target audience. By concentrating on a couple of key areas and...
Do you have clearly defined goals for your bank marketing efforts? The only way you can determine if your marketing is performing – and adding bottom line to your bank – is if you are tracking your progress against goals. Digital ads won’t work...
Ep 34 – Networking: The Power of Community for Your Career and Bank It’s a thing that some people live for, and others shy away from. But the benefits of networking – for introverts and extroverts alike! - go beyond getting your bank...
Ep 33 – Competing on Customer Experience with Joann Marsili Community banks must focus on what they do best: connecting with customers and building their brand. It’s easy to look around the corner and see what everyone else, especially megabanks,...
Ep 32 - How Banks And Small Businesses Can Connect Better with Derik Sutton - Chief Marketing Officer at Autobooks Marketing to small businesses comes down to relationships, proximity, and trust. Derik Sutton, Chief Marketing Officer for...
Ep 31 - The Role of Marketing in Crisis Communications As a cornerstone of the community, banks play an important role in times of crisis. In the wake of the March 2023 bank failures, community banks must build confidence in their strength, and...
Ep 30 - Think Like a Brand, Not a Bank In this episode, Chris Bates and Dan Novalis interview Allison Netzer and Liz High, authors of the book “Think Like a Brand, Not a Bank” – a must read for any banker. Your bank’s brand belongs to...
Ep 29 - The Value of Strategy To meet your goals, you must pause to plan. Marketing cannot be viewed as a side project but as an integral part of your strategy. Do you know what your customer journey looks like? What are the steps that lead from brand...
Choosing the right digital marketing agency for your bank can be a make or break decision – but can also be one of the best decisions you make. It’s tough for many banks to decide to bring in an external vendor, but often vendors bring expertise...
There’s a lot of talk about an upcoming recession and how it will affect spending habits. It’s essential that financial institutions keep up their digital marketing to ensure brand awareness. In fact, a recent study showed that Americans are...
Stop thinking about selling your product. Start thinking about how it benefits your customer. Data-driven campaigns are the future of marketing. By gathering data on your existing customers, large and small banks can use this information to create...
Bank marketers find their way into the profession one way or another – but rarely does someone set out to become one. Instead, most bank marketers have followed a winding path to get there, usually through another role within the bank. ...
As we wrap up 2022 and look forward to 2023, many banks and businesses are fearful of impending recession, rising rates, and more – and may be discussing pulling back budgets or operating more cautiously. Instead of backing away, this could be your...
To wrap up 2022, and celebrate the first year of the Bank Marketing Show, Chris and Dan re-visit the best bank marketing tidbits from the first 22 episodes. They break it down into four main categories you won’t want to miss: real community...
You can’t out-bank your competition, which is why focusing on building relationships is so essential. Social media creates an incredible opportunity to foster relationships online, especially when you post engaging content that’s authentic and...
You’re one good decision from having a good day. By repeating these good decisions, you can have a good life. Making decisions isn’t easy; we’re faced with fear, the fear of regret, distractions, and temptations with almost every decision we...
Your customers don’t want to hear about your bank’s latest offers, they want to hear how it helped people in your community realize their dreams. This is the power of marketing; this is the power of storytelling. Banks need to create online...
Attrition is normal, but 20-30% of customer churn can be attributable directly to customer service issues, and other things within your control. Plus, in a post-Covid world where fintechs are proliferating, many financial institutions are seeing...
When you see smaller financial institutions that have more followers and significantly more engagement than yours, you may wonder what you’re doing wrong. But the reality is that organic reach has been declining in general, and especially on...
When your bank plans for your next marketing campaign well, there is a much greater chance of success. From knowing your budget and timeframe right from the start to being in touch with your target audience, it’s important to pre-plan your digital...
Your bank needs technology to grow and to serve your customers better. You can use technology to upgrade your systems and the way you communicate with your customers. We think every bank should have a tag management system on their website to help...
Establishing a distinctive brand online is imperative. It requires consistent and cohesive messaging across all channels to create a brand that stands apart from the competition. In this episode, Dan Novalis, Chris Bates, and Emily Mays discuss...
When people can open up an account or get a loan anywhere, why do they pick your bank? It comes down to your branding, tone, and the personality of your messaging. Even if you offer great service, if your branding doesn’t speak to them, they won’t...
Consistent content marketing is the best way to connect with and understand your target audience – rather than getting left behind with outdated customer relationships and practices. Community banks – even small institutions – can embrace...
Community banks are, essentially, small businesses whose product is money. As the economy continues to change and digitize at an ever-faster pace, it’s even more important to market your products, even if that product is just money. In this episode,...
If you’re only spending 1% - 5% of your marketing budget on your digital presence, it’s time you start increasing that. With more community and megabanks competing, and more potential customers turning to the internet and Google searches to...
Ep 10 - How to Be Customer-Centric in Today’s Dynamic Marketplace with Jim Perry- Senior Strategist at Market Insights, Inc. To compete with big banks, community institutions need to lean on personal elements and specific niche communications in...
Creating effective ad campaigns comes down to more than just copy. Differentiating your ads and messaging to reach a target audience persona is key. It’s important to plan your products, strategically position offers and incentives, and also include...
Too often, bank ad campaigns try to appeal to everyone. Or, even just a single generation like “Millennials” or “Gen Z”. But Millennials alone could be 26, or 41, with very different banking needs. By narrowing down your audience,...