Explore every episode of the podcast Bank Marketing Show
| Title | Pub. Date | Duration | |
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| Ep 83 - The Future of Community Bank Marketing with Caleb Stevens | 14 Apr 2025 | 00:53:44 | |
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 demand generation to practical AI use, Caleb breaks down how banks can modernize without losing sight of what really matters. In this episode, we cover:
About Caleb: Caleb serves as the VP of Marketing for SouthState Bank’s Capital Markets Division, serving over 1,000 community banks across the nation through a variety of banking products and services. He is also the host of The Community Bank Podcast and the co-author of the book Collegiate: 7 Big Ideas to Make College Awesome. He lives in Athens, Georgia with his wife Grace and two young sons. Links & Resources: - SouthState Bank podcast: https://southstatecorrespondent.com/podcasts/ - Community Bank Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-community-bank-podcast/id1513967803 - Contact Caleb: caleb.stevens@southstatebank.com - Favorite Book: Remarkable - David Salyers & Dr. Randy Ross - Resource for brand messaging: https://storybrand.com/ - LEAD - Neil Stevens: https://www.oconeestatebank.com/business/make-your-remarkable-podcast - Website: bankmarketingshow.com - Sign up for our newsletter: bankmarketingminute.com - Contact Chris and Dan: contact@bankmarketingshow.com
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| Ep 82 - Building an Army of Brand Ambassadors | 31 Mar 2025 | 00:35:57 | |
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. You’ll learn why employee-led content consistently outperforms corporate posts—and how to turn your team into your most powerful marketing channel. Here’s what we cover:
Links & Resources: - Website: bankmarketingshow.com - Sign up for our LinkedIn newsletter: bankmarketingminute.com - Contact Chris and Dan: contact@bankmarketingshow.com | |||
| Ep 73 - The Great Brand Refresh Tale of A Community Bank with Dave Peters and Marty Heger | 25 Nov 2024 | 01:01:51 | |
It’s time to rebrand your community bank. Where do you start? Rebranding a community bank involves a simple four-step process: identifying the problem, taking time to plan, checking your resources, and then acting on your plan. First, it’s about recognizing that something isn’t working. Many banks face issues like dropping deposits and having a smaller credit pipeline. While these banks are trusted locally, they might struggle to reach younger audiences or keep up digitally. This isn’t just about offering competitive rates but making real improvements to stay valuable and relevant to the community. In this episode, Chris Bates, Dan Novalis, Dave Peters, and Marty Heger discuss the four steps to rebranding. The next step is to pause and plan, often with a consultant who understands the industry and can offer a fresh view. This planning stage is all about defining the bank’s brand message, creating a guide for brand voice, and deciding on important and doable changes. Some actions, like updating signage and the website, may take more effort but have a big impact. Smaller updates, like changing email signatures, require less work but still boost brand consistency. Successful rebranding needs everyone involved, from leadership to every staff member, and careful progress tracking. By following these steps, banks can align internally and make a stronger connection with their communities.
Martin “Marty” Heger, Jr., is the President and CEO of Dearborn Federal Savings Bank, a true community bank that has served Dearborn, Dearborn Heights, and the surrounding communities since 1936. Marty joined the Bank in 2002 as its Chief Lending Officer, where he was responsible for all aspects of residential and commercial lending. In 2022, Marty assumed the role of President and CEO. He is responsible for all Bank operations and reports directly to the Office of the Chairman. Marty graduated from The University of Michigan with an A.B. degree in Economics and earned an M.B.A. with a Finance concentration from Wayne State University. Before joining Dearborn Federal Savings Bank, Marty began his banking career with the National Bank of Detroit (now J.P. Morgan Chase). With NBD, he progressed quickly from Branch Management Trainee to Corporate Cash Management Officer, Vice President, and Commercial Credit Officer in the Middle Market Division. Marty has held several leadership positions with various professional, civic, and social organizations, including the Michigan Bankers Service Corporation, the Dearborn Area Chamber of Commerce, the Exchange Club of Dearborn, the Dearborn Centurions, and the Dearborn Symphony Orchestra. He has also volunteered his time and effort at the Festival of Trees organization, which supports pediatric research at Children’s Hospital of Michigan. When not involved in his professional and civic duties, Marty and his wife, Vicky, enjoy following the active lives of their two adult children, Trey and Zachary. In addition, Marty is an accomplished musician who dedicates his musical talents to various charitable organizations. About Dave Peters Dave Peters majored in Accounting at Hillsdale College and began working for a regional Accounting firm in the Metro Detroit area a few months later. After licensing as a CPA just over a year later, Dave continued to grow in his responsibilities with the firm by leading client meetings, preparing complex analyses and returns, conducting CPE training sessions, leading various technology initiatives, and even sporting a tux as an emcee for the firm’s first “work-from-homies” paper plate award show in the midst of 2020’s tax season. After several years, Dave moved to Dearborn Federal Savings Bank as its Chief Financial Officer, trading tax optimization strategies for interest rate risk analysis, call reports, and reconciliations. Throughout his almost three years at the Bank, Dave continued to modernize its efficiencies and processes while strategizing and leading ways for future asset growth and revenue development. Resources Mentioned:
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| Ep 72 - The Latest Essentials In Bank Marketing Compliance with Memrie Fortenberry | 11 Nov 2024 | 00:35:32 | |
Finding the right balance between marketing and compliance is essential for community banks. The first step is ensuring that marketers and compliance officers build a trusting relationship. Compliance should always be involved in marketing decisions to prevent any issues. Community banks need to make sure their marketing messages are clear and easy for the average customer to understand, especially as regulations like the new FDIC are becoming stricter. In this episode, Chris Bates, Dan Novalis, and Memrie Fortenberry discuss how community banks must ensure their third-party vendors are properly managed. Even if a third party handles your marketing or creates your ads, the bank is ultimately responsible for ensuring everything complies with regulations. Banks must carefully monitor their advertising to avoid issues like redlining or unfair practices, which have been the focus of recent DOJ actions. It’s important to review all marketing materials regularly to ensure they reach the right audience and are not misleading. As technology and customer expectations evolve, staying on top of compliance and regulation changes is critical to maintaining trust and success in the community banking space. Topics Include:
Memrie Fortenberry is the special counsel for the Banking & Financial Services Industry Team and a member of the Corporate Practice Group. She advises community banks and other financial institutions on compliance and regulatory matters. Memrie is an experienced lawyer focused on bank regulatory and compliance matters. She regularly advises clients on federal and state financial services regulations and laws, including the Bank Secrecy Act, fair lending, and other consumer protection regulations. Memrie is a certified community bank compliance officer representing a broad range of banks, lenders, and other financial institutions with significant experience serving as outside counsel for community banks. Memrie is also a presenter with the Bankers Compliance Task Force. While in law school, Memrie served an externship for Judge Neil P. Olack of the US Bankruptcy Court, Southern District of Mississippi. Before entering law school, she completed the management development associate program at Trustmark Bank and went on to work as a corporate services officer. Resources Mentioned: | |||
| Ep 71 - Essential Social Media Compliance Guidelines with Jill Williams | 28 Oct 2024 | 00:49:04 | |
Social media is a key tool for community banks to connect with their local communities and grow their brand, but it’s important to follow the rules and regulations to get it right. Community banks need to be creative in what they post, but they also need to ensure they stay within the social media guidelines to protect both the bank and their customers. That’s why our guest created a solution to help banks balance effective marketing while still following the rules. In this episode, Chris Bates, Dan Novalis, and Jill Williams discuss managing risks while marketing & posting on social media. With the help of BANK MONITOR, you can monitor and report on your community bank’s social media activity, ensuring your success while meeting all compliance regulations. Jill emphasizes the importance of identifying risks, filling gaps, and understanding what regulators look for during audits. Having a clear social media policy is crucial to keeping everything in line. With these steps, community banks can confidently use social media to engage with their audience without worrying about compliance issues. Jill also suggests working with a marketing agency that understands banking to help balance compliance and creativity. Topics Include:
Jill Williams has spent over two decades as a senior-level banker in human resources, retail, and marketing roles. As a community banker, she struggled to balance the time demands of social media while ensuring adherence to the laws, regulations, and policies governing this type of marketing. During this time, Jill recognized the critical need for a comprehensive solution to ensure compliance with the FFIEC Social Media Guidance established in 2013. This realization and a lack of existing industry solutions inspired her to develop BANK MONITOR. This program is an all-encompassing answer to the FFIEC Social Media Compliance Risk Management Guidance requirements. BANK MONITOR's success in safeguarding her community bank spurred her passion for extending this innovative solution to community banks and credit unions nationwide. Jill’s mission is to provide a white-glove service that simplifies and secures social media compliance. Resources Mentioned:
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| Ep 70 - Three Key Leadership Facets That We Don't See Enough Of | 14 Oct 2024 | 00:37:37 | |
Chris and Dan discuss the importance of leadership in banking, especially focusing on transparency, adaptability, and vision implementation. They dive into how leadership styles impact a bank's marketing strategies, and the necessity for modern leadership that embraces technology and diversity. Key points include the significance of transparency to foster trust, the need for adaptability in a fast-changing environment, and the importance of defining and implementing a clear vision. This episode encourages listeners to reflect on their personal leadership style and what guides them. In this episode:
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| Ep 69 - 5 Most Common Community Bank Goals | 30 Sep 2024 | 00:37:22 | |
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 marketing goals. In this episode, Chris and Dan break down the five most common goals they hear – and give actionable advice for how to make real progress towards them:
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| Ep 68 - Working Smarter with the Resources You Have | 16 Sep 2024 | 00:26:45 | |
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: - Why spending more money does not equate to better marketing - The power of partnerships for social media growth and engagement - How networking groups can help you learn tricks and shortcuts to marketing success - Smart ways to outsource that aren’t free, but cheaper than you think - The role of Tech, like Chat GPT, in stretching your resources further - Sources for free content (beyond this podcast, obviously!) Resources Mentioned: - contact@bankmarketingshow.com - Bank Marketing Minute Newsletter: bankmarketingminute.com - Website: The Bank Marketing Show: bankmarketingshow.com | |||
| Ep 67 - 5 Things You Should Be Doing With Email | 02 Sep 2024 | 00:44:16 | |
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 to data-driven onboarding and cross-selling campaigns. If you're a bank marketer or a professional in the financial industry, this episode is a must-listen, providing practical advice, valuable insights, and a friendly, personable approach to email marketing strategies that can enhance customer engagement and drive growth. In this episode: - Strategy: Tips for crafting compelling email campaigns that captivate and convert - Boost Open Rates: Ensure your messages get the attention they deserve. - Content Ideas for Bank Newsletters: ways to make newsletter creation less of a chore, get more mileage out of the content in between newsletters, and make the topics interesting and valuable - Customer Onboarding: Learn how to create a seamless and engaging onboarding email series that sets the stage for long-term customer satisfaction and loyalty. - Maximizing Cross-Selling Opportunities: Unleash the power of cross-selling through email and drive increased business outcomes for your bank. Resources Mentioned: - contact@bankmarketingshow.com - Go deeper on content: Hollie Brown Episode 58 - Bank Marketing Minute Newsletter: bankmarketingminute.com - Website: The Bank Marketing Show: bankmarketingshow.com | |||
| Ep 66 - How Targeted Marketing Gives You ROI [Replay Of Ep 26] | 19 Aug 2024 | 00:50:36 | |
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 in your bank.
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 better-targeted advertising campaigns. In this episode, Dan Novalis, Chris Bates, and Ria Iyengar discuss how data-driven, targeted marketing gives banks a better return on their investment. Benefit-driven marketing helps you map out which products make sense for your customers. Banks can start using the information they already have about their customers to create better, more engaged campaigns. Ria also recommends directly asking your customers what interests them about your bank and what products they want more information about. What is your role and experience as a bank marketer? Connect with us on our website to share your bank marketing stories. Topics Include:
Ria Iyengar is Business Director at Cossette, a Toronto, Canada-based creative marketing and communications agency. She excels at leveraging the power of CRM to deliver highly efficient data-driven campaigns for her clients, including TD Bank. Ria says data has the power to transform customer relationships and better decision-making through optimized campaigns. She believes the future of marketing will be in personalized content driven by customer data. As a first-generation immigrant to Canada, a person of color and a member of the LGBTQ2+1 community, Ria has a unique perspective on how personalized and data-driven marketing can speak to all stakeholders and customers. Ria also speaks on the topic of DEI. Resources Mentioned:
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| Ep 65 - The Importance of Brand Voice [Replay of Ep 39] | 05 Aug 2024 | 00:38:25 | |
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 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, communication style, and emotions that echo the bank's mission. It’s not just the realm of marketing. Like creating a great culture, developing a brand’s voice starts from the top of the organization.
In this week’s podcast, we share salient advice on striking the right balance – finding the right chord with your chosen target audience without alienating others. This harmonization creates deeper connections between customers and your bank’s values and culture, hence increasing the customer retention and attraction.
In this episode, we talk about: - Discovering the critical role of a distinctive brand voice in banking. - Gaining insights into why bank executives themselves need to shape their brand voice. - Uncovering the power of favoring unique identity over generic descriptions for your bank. - Understanding how aligning your brand voice with the desired customer experience can reshape your institution’s public perception. - Learning how to set your brand voice apart from competitors to stand out in the industry. Resources Mentioned: - Bank Marketing Minute Newsletter: bankmarketingminute.com - Website: The Bank Marketing Show: bankmarketingshow.com - For a free guide to creating your brand voice, email: contact@bankmarketingshow.com with Subject Line “Brand Voice” | |||
| Ep 64 - Supercharging Financial Marketing Content with ChatGPT with Ben Udell | 22 Jul 2024 | 01:05:10 | |
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, the rules that guide its use, and what role it plays in their teams. In this episode, Chris and Dan interview Ben Udell, SVP of Digital Innovation at Lake Ridge Bank, about how he uses Gen AI at his bank and teaches other banks how to get the most out of it. Topics Include: ● The regulatory and compliance landscape around Gen AI ● How treating Gen AI as a team member, not a replacement, changes how you use it (for the better) ● Creating better prompts for more useful output ● The right way to train ChatGPT on your brand voice With more than 25 years of financial expertise, Ben Udell, SVP Digital Innovation, is the driving force behind "future proofing" Lake Ridge Bank, a $2.9B community bank in Wisconsin. As a leader in digital innovation, he enjoys working where technology, marketing, and data analytics intersect with consumer financial needs. He’s a leading banking expert in leveraging practical applications of generative AI and is never afraid to be disruptive went it allows him to find innovative ways to improve the client and associate experience. Recently named one of Bank Beat’s “Rising Starts in Banking”, Ben’s been helping train and consult with other bankers to help them see how AI can transform their organization. In his free time, he creates content for robotsarepeople.net, an AI and technology focused site, speaks on digital transformation, and writes about the financial industry.” Resources Mentioned: ● LinkedIn: Ben Udell ● Website: Robotsarepeople.net ● Website: https://bankmarketingshow.com/ | |||
| Ep 81 - Traits of a Successful Marketing Director | 17 Mar 2025 | 00:26:42 | |
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 lead marketer at a bank) – and the things we see in our work that are most impactful to personal career growth and organizational success (which are highly correlated!). This episode covers a lot of ground – the essential traits that define top-performing marketing professionals, the importance of building strong internal relationships, and ways the most successful leaders maintain focus on their plans and avoid being distracted by shiny objects (of which there are many in tech and digital marketing today!). Topics Include:
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| Ep 63 - 5 Key Strategies for Competitive Advantage | 08 Jul 2024 | 00:41:49 | |
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 greater differentiation and success in the market. There's an emphasis on the importance of understanding your bank's unique value proposition and differentiating it from competitors, all while keeping things simple and specific. This is where Chris and Dan also highlight the significance of seeking feedback from both loyal and potential customers to truly understand their perceptions and preferences. If you're a bank looking to enhance your brand differentiation and customer engagement through strategic marketing efforts, and ready to gain valuable guidance on how to stand out in a crowded market landscape, then this episode is a must-listen! In this episode:
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| Ep 62 - Banking Association Perspectives with Chris Moya, CEO of ICBA-NM | 24 Jun 2024 | 00:37:03 | |
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 has taken place that is showing us a new reality. In this episode, Chris interviews Chris Moya, CEO of ICBA of New Mexico. They discuss upcoming marketing trends for community banking – like showcasing the value you bring to the community, building relationships with younger customers, and finding beneficial partnerships with fintechs and marketing agencies. It’s not about changing who you are, it’s about telling your story. Topics Include:
Before joining ICBA/NM, Chris contributed to the regulatory landscape, notably as the Director of the New Mexico Financial Institutions Division (FID), a position to which he was officially appointed in April 2019 after serving as the Acting Director for two years. His tenure at FID, which commenced in June 2011, encompassed a progression of roles, including Examiner, Mortgage Industry Manager, and Deputy Director. Before his regulatory endeavors, Chris forged a successful career in the mortgage industry in southern California. Subsequently, he deliberately returned to New Mexico to establish roots and raise his family. Chris graduated from California State University San Marcos with a bachelor’s degree in economics. He then obtained an MBA from Eastern New Mexico University and graduated from the Western States School of Banking. With his multifaceted background and dedication to the financial sector, Chris is poised to continue driving excellence and innovation within ICBA/NM, advancing the interests and preservation of community banks across New Mexico. Resources Mentioned:
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| Ep 61 - 2024 Mid-Year Trends (Hint: AI) | 10 Jun 2024 | 00:35:52 | |
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 importance of staying ahead of the curve by embracing AI and adapting it into the culture of financial institutions. This episode provides valuable insights into the current trends, emphasizing the need for banks to innovate and incorporate AI and other strategies to enhance customer-specific marketing messages. With a focus on AI integration and its potential to revolutionize banking operations, this episode offers a comprehensive overview of the industry's shifting landscape and provides essential guidance for bank marketers looking to stay ahead in marketing and AI integration. In this episode:
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| Ep 60 - How Effective Systems Improve Your Results | 28 May 2024 | 00:28:08 | |
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 and Dan emphasize the importance of first aligning marketing activities with the bank’s strategic plan. Once the activity set is defined, you can then structure the marketing team to support those activities. This builds your bank’s marketing foundation as a core part of the bank’s operations, and helps you move beyond traditional, disjointed operations to a systematic and coordinated approach – elevating the marketing function within your institution.
Listen for more actionable details on:
- How mastering bank marketing functional systems leads to increased customer engagement and brand visibility. - The importance of marketing team structure in banking for streamlined operations and enhanced customer experiences. - How to enhance bank marketing with digital tools to stay ahead in the competitive landscape. - Learning effective methods for measuring ROI in bank marketing campaigns to maximize your marketing budget. Resources Mentioned: - We’d love to hear about your team’s structure, and what works and doesn’t: email contact@bankmarketingshow.com - Bank Marketing Minute Newsletter: bankmarketingminute.com - Website: The Bank Marketing Show: bankmarketingshow.com | |||
| Ep 59 - Using Video to Grow Brand Engagement | 13 May 2024 | 00:33:40 | |
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 significance of differentiating from competitors and embracing the evolving trends of video content on social media. Listen to us share practical advice, like evaluating competitors' strategies, and provide tangible examples to showcase the impact of video content. We offer valuable insights for banks aiming to enhance their marketing strategies with video content. You'll gain a deeper understanding of the significance of strategic video use and how it can help your bank stand out in the market. Plus, you'll pick up actionable tactics and examples that can guide you in incorporating video into your bank's marketing efforts. In this episode:
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| Ep 58 - Producing Content that Actually Engages with Hollie Brown | 29 Apr 2024 | 00:40:00 | |
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 difference between fixed and ARM mortgages”, when there are literally hundreds of similar blogs already online? In this episode, Chris and Dan chat with Hollie Brown, VP of Marketing for Coastal Community Bank. Hollie leverages her journalism background and the bank’s network to create regular, expert-driven content for her customers. That content “engine” has even led to a system that drives email signups, and a busy calendar of in-person events – truly creating a community where customers can learn more about the bank, network with other similar customers and small businesses, and learn from experts. And most importantly – this system actually converts readers and attendees to real customers. Topics Include: ● How content marketing and digital marketing work together ● How producing regular content is a resourceful task for local banks ● How banks can leverage a content strategy to create face-to-face community events ● How to determine if your content audience becomes customers ● Why it’s important to involve your internal team in your content strategy Hollie Brown is Vice President of Marketing for Coastal Community Bank. Coastal provides personal and business banking services for Puget Sound, WA customers, and Banking as a Service (BaaS) for fintech partners. At Coastal, Hollie leads marketing strategy, brand and corporation communication, public relations, and digital marketing. Hollie earned a BA in Journalism from Western Washington University, an Executive Development Professional certificate from the Washington Bankers Association, a certificate in Bank Marketing from the American Bankers Association, and she is a Certified Financial Management Professional from the American Bankers Association. She is currently enrolled in Pacific Coast Banking School. Before joining Coastal, she was the Regional Marketing Manager for Moss Adams LLP in Seattle and the Vice President and Director of Marketing for Peoples Bank in Bellingham, WA. Resources Mentioned: ● Website: https://www.coastalbank.com/ ● LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/holliejoybrown/ ● Website: https://bankmarketingshow.com/
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| Ep 57 - Simple SEO You Can Do Today with Ben Walsh | 15 Apr 2024 | 01:01:28 | |
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 often possible for small local institutions to outrank their larger, national competition...if you know the tricks. In this episode, Chris and Dan interview Ben Walsh, an SEO expert, about how rankings are a local bank’s most powerful tool. Ben walks us through the easiest changes to make – literally things that you can do today in just a few minutes. Plus, we discuss the ongoing things you should be doing (e.g., reviews) that will help you outrank your competition. Topics Include: ● How SEO has evolved over recent years ● The biggest ranking factors that community banks should know about ● Why images and reviews on your Google My Business profiles are extra important ● How to improve your website’s SEO ● How big picture SEO makes local banks competitive with larger banks Ben Walsh is a local SEO veteran with over ten years of experience. He helps local businesses get more leads, calls, and walk-ins. Resources Mentioned: ● Website: https://marketlocalseo.com/ ● LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ben-walsh-73ab78105/ ● Website: https://bankmarketingshow.com/
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| Ep 56 - The Key Digital Ad Pillars of 2024 with Matthew Wade | 01 Apr 2024 | 00:41:11 | |
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 conversation of sorts, encouraging prospective customers to research the bank more as they make their decisions. In this episode, Dan and Chris speak with Matthew Wade, President of Exact Marketing, a digital media agency based in Nashville. We discuss the four pillars of the digital advertising industry: search engine marketing, retargeting customers, contextual targeting, and behavioral targeting. Utilizing each of these pillars is important to building a robust and versatile digital marketing campaign, and to increase market share from competitors. Topics Include: ● What the digital advertising industry looks like in 2024 ● How digital advertising is a core part of competing effectively in the digital age ● Some digital advertising tips and strategies for community banks to utilize ● How to budget for digital advertising Matthew Wade is the President of Exact Marketing, a transformative media agency based in West Tennessee focused on improving how people buy digital advertising. Matthew spent the first decade of his career in Sports Marketing with USA Today’s Sports Media Group, working with household names like Nike, Ford, Ram, Under Armour, Gatorade, American Family Insurance, and the Army National Guard. Today, Matthew is focused on leading Exact Marketing to deliver those same Madison Avenue advertising capabilities to Main Street businesses and their agencies. Resources Mentioned: ● Website: exactmarketing.digital ● Email: mwade@exactmarketing.digital ● Website: bankmarketingshow.com
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| Ep 55 - How Bank Five Nine used heritage to rebrand for the future with Jeff McCarthy | 18 Mar 2024 | 00:46:27 | |
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 McCarthy, SVP and Marketing Director of Bank Five Nine in Oconomowoc, Wisconsin. Jeff led the bank through a major rebranding project that has paid dividends in the last few years since it launched. Jeff walks us through his process, from the initial idea to the decision to rebrand the bank completely – and the steps they took to get there, including how he navigated obstacles along the way. And, he shares the successes they’ve seen since the brand launch. Topics Include: ● Why it's important to differentiate your community bank ● How to prepare your customers for a brand change ● How a rebrand can help your community bank get better recognition ● What the process for a rebranding announcement looks like ● Why it’s important to overcommunicate the reason for a rebrand
Jeff McCarthy is the Senior Vice President, Marketing Director at Bank Five Nine. Headquartered in Oconomowoc, WI, Bank Five Nine is a community bank with roughly $1.8 billion in assets and fourteen branch locations. Jeff has been with the bank for over ten years, leading the organization through a complete rebrand in 2020. For his work, Jeff was recognized as the CMO of the Year by the Milwaukee Business Journal and as a Notable Marketing Executive by BizTimes Milwaukee. Before joining the bank, he worked primarily in account management for various Milwaukee-based advertising agencies. Outside of the office, Jeff serves as the President of the Oconomowoc Area Chamber of Commerce and previously served as the Chairperson of the Wisconsin Bankers Association (WBA) Marketing Committee. He has been featured as a speaker at conferences for the WBA and the Washington Bankers Association, as well as at The Financial Brand Forum. Resources Mentioned: ● Favorite Book or Resource: The Experience Maker by Dan Gingiss ● Website: https://www.bankfivenine.com/ ● LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jmccarthy427/ ● Email Jeff: jeff.mccarthy@bankfivenine.com ● Email Chris and Dan: contact@bankmarketingshow.com ● Get Chris and Dan’s Bank Marketing Minute e-newsletter: bankmarketingminute.com
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| Ep 54 - MAJOR MARKETING CHALLENGE SERIES #4 - The Alignment of Effort And Value | 04 Mar 2024 | 00:28:26 | |
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 the bottom line – like the right shade of orange for your logo. And those same teams breeze through the stuff that matters more – like the right CTA for a landing page or a proper A/B test to figure out what really resonates with customers. Marketers should be spending time putting themselves in the customers’ shoes and understanding their problems – rather than just trying to crank out the next product-based email or flier content.
If you're a community banker looking to enhance customer engagement, drive business growth, and optimize your marketing strategies, tuning into this episode will provide you with some actionable tips and a fresh perspective on creating impactful marketing initiatives that yield measurable results.
In this episode: - Why you should prioritize Impact Over Perfection - How to Align Marketing Efforts with Strategic Goals - How to Personalize Communications for Greater Resonance Resources Mentioned: - We’d love to hear your stories! Email them to contact@bankmarketingshow.com - Bank Marketing Minute Newsletter: bankmarketingminute.com - Website: The Bank Marketing Show: bankmarketingshow.com
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| Ep 80 - Marketing in a Cookieless Future with Hollie Brown | 03 Mar 2025 | 00:51:35 | |
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, updating your website pop-ups and refining your other marketing strategies is crucial. While some data will be lost in a cookieless environment, there are ways to continue engaging with customers. In this episode, Chris Bates, Dan Novalis, and Hollie Brown explore what a cookieless future means for community banks. Email marketing is one effective strategy that doesn’t rely on cookies, and by using techniques like lookalike marketing, community banks can keep reaching the right audience. They also share other smart strategies to meet your customers. Chris, Dan, and Hollie look at how fintech companies are stepping up to meet these challenges and how community banks can model their marketing strategies after them. They also share easy-to-follow tips on how community banks can use customer data more wisely and show real returns on their marketing efforts. Topics Include:
About Hollie Hollie Brown is Vice President of Marketing for Coastal Community Bank. Coastal provides personal and business banking services for Puget Sound, WA customers, and Banking as a Service (BaaS) for fintech partners. At Coastal, Hollie leads marketing strategy, brand and corporation communication, public relations, and digital marketing. Hollie earned a BA in Journalism from Western Washington University, an Executive Development Professional certificate from the Washington Bankers Association, a certificate in Bank Marketing from the American Bankers Association, and she is a Certified Financial Management Professional from the American Bankers Association. She is currently enrolled in Pacific Coast Banking School. Before joining Coastal, she was the Regional Marketing Manager for Moss Adams LLP in Seattle and the Vice President and Director of Marketing for Peoples Bank in Bellingham, WA. Resources Mentioned:
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| Ep 53 - MAJOR MARKETING CHALLENGE SERIES #3 - Avoid Scattered Marketing | 19 Feb 2024 | 00:26:02 | |
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 importance of having a strategic marketing plan to avoid wasted resources and ineffective tactics, and share real-life examples while stressing the need for a proactive mindset shift, highlighting the benefits of surrendering old habits and embracing intentional strategies.
Our conversation also touches on the role of video in marketing and the significance of aligning marketing messages with the overall strategic goals of banks and credit unions. We encourage listeners to reach out for guidance and support in developing strategic marketing plans. If you're a marketing professional in a community bank or credit union and find yourself grappling with scattered marketing tactics, tuning in to this episode could equip you with insights to overcome this challenge and implement more targeted and effective marketing campaigns.
In this episode: · Uncover the hidden potential in your marketing strategy with a focused approach. · Elevate your marketing game and leave behind scattered tactics for good. · Craft strategic marketing plans that yield tangible results for your bank or credit union. · Align your messaging to resonate with your audience and drive meaningful connections. · Embrace a proactive mindset in marketing to stay ahead of the curve and stand out from the competition.
Resources Mentioned: - We’d love to hear your stories! Email them to contact@bankmarketingshow.com - Bank Marketing Minute Newsletter: bankmarketingminute.com - Website: The Bank Marketing Show: bankmarketingshow.com
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| Ep 52 - MAJOR MARKETING CHALLENGE SERIES #2 - Avoid Reactive Marketing | 05 Feb 2024 | 00:36:11 | |
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 industry. We emphasize the importance of aligning marketing efforts with the strategic goals of the bank to achieve better results and justify marketing spend. Our conversation highlights the significance of strategic planning, setting a shared vision, and the need for cohesive leadership and marketing direction. We stress the benefits of having a comprehensive strategic plan, aligning marketing with the bank's strategy, and investing in creative work to achieve successful bank marketing. This episode offers valuable insights on moving from a reactive to a proactive approach, planning in advance, and ensuring consistent brand messaging. We have passion for sharing insights and helping professionals in the industry, making it a must-listen for banking professionals responsible for marketing strategies. By implementing the learnings from this episode, you can lead your bank's marketing efforts more effectively, positioning it as the best choice in your market. In this episode: - Maximize proactive marketing to outperform competitors. - Elevate strategic planning for impactful bank marketing. - Achieve alignment between marketing and strategic goals. - Foster a shared vision for a unified company culture. - Utilize planning for effective, targeted marketing campaigns. Resources Mentioned: - We’d love to hear your stories! Email them to contact@bankmarketingshow.com - Bank Marketing Minute Newsletter: bankmarketingminute.com - Website: The Bank Marketing Show: bankmarketingshow.com | |||
| Ep 51 - MAJOR MARKETING CHALLENGE SERIES - #1 - Modernizing Your Bank | 22 Jan 2024 | 00:41:51 | |
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 episode, we tackle Modernization: why it’s important, the challenges banks face in pursuing it, and practical solutions and case studies from our work. Modernization isn’t easy, but when community banks revamp their visual branding, embrace digital platforms, and leverage data utilization, they can more effectively appeal to younger audiences and stay competitive. Listen in for actionable strategies and expert advice on modernizing your bank to attract younger customers and stay ahead of the curve. In this episode:
Resources Mentioned: - We’d love to hear your stories! Email them to contact@bankmarketingshow.com - Bank Marketing Minute Newsletter: bankmarketingminute.com - Website: The Bank Marketing Show: bankmarketingshow.com | |||
| Ep 50 - Connecting with Millennials and Gen Z with Dr. Brett Andrews | 08 Jan 2024 | 00:50:23 | |
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 Gen Z. In this episode, we interview Dr. Brett Andrews, Dean of the Business School at Belhaven University in Jackson, Mississippi. Dr. Andrews has been teaching business school students for over 20 years – watching as trends, fears, goals, and challenges have developed across these generational lines. Learning to better connect with younger generations can not only benefit your marketing’s performance, but your staffing and employee retention as well. We chat with Dr. Andrews about how each generation builds trust differently with community banks – it’s not just about your long-standing history anymore – and ways you can build trust through your marketing and recruiting practices. Topics Include: ● How to address the current hiring hurdles community banks face ● How bank leaders can attract these generations into their workforce ● What to expect from a Generation Z workforce ● How to provide feedback to younger generations ● The best advice for hiring Millennials and Generation Z Brett Andrews is an accomplished academic leader with over 20 years of experience developing and growing academic programs at multiple universities. He has launched over 39 new programs across all levels, led strategic planning efforts, overseen accreditations, and secured major gifts for capital campaigns. Andrews has held senior leadership roles such as Dean, Executive Vice President, and CIO. He is an experienced online program developer who has established the infrastructure and processes for launching successful online offerings. Dr. Andrews has a track record of increasing enrollment, revenue, and profitability through data-driven innovation. He holds an MBA and Ph.D. in Applied Management and Decision Science and has an extensive record of research publications and presentations. He is the Dean of the School of Business at Belhaven University in Jackson, MS. Resources Mentioned: ● Website: Dean at Belhaven University https://www.belhaven.edu/about/contact/faculty/andrews-brett.html ● LinkedIn: Brett Andrews https://www.linkedin.com/in/brett-andrews-4259235/
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| Ep 49 - Highlights & Takeaways from 2023 | 26 Dec 2023 | 00:31:16 | |
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.
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| Ep 48 - The Power of Data-Driven Marketing with Dvir Ginzburg and Ilan Flax | 11 Dec 2023 | 00:45:13 | |
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 of Insait, a data platform that’s helping community bank marketing and analytics teams achieve higher conversion through data-driven analysis and campaign creation. We discuss how data-driven techniques improved the results of a recent CD campaign, and the differences between data-driven, personalized marketing, spam marketing, and spray-and-pray campaigns and how each of these marketing avenues impacts potential customer response. Listen in to learn more about Insait’s approach and how you can apply similar techniques at your bank. Topics Include: ● What data-driven marketing really is ● How can community banks get started with data-driven marketing ● How a simple CD campaign can be 200% more effective by using data to target and personalize ● How to reach customers where you think they’ll respond Dvir Ginzburg is the CEO at Insait. He has a Ph.D. in Geometric Deep Learning. He’s previously worked at Microsoft as a Recommendation System Researcher. Ilan Flax is the Head of Business Development and Strategy at Insait. He’s a former Professional Soccer Coach. He has a Sociology degree from Columbia University. Resources Mentioned: ● Favorite Book: Mindset: The New Psychology of Success by Carol S. Dweck, Ph.D. https://www.amazon.com/Mindset-Psychology-Carol-S-Dweck/dp/0345472322/ref=tmm_pap_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=&sr= ● Website: https://insait.io/ ● Insait IO LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/insait-io/ ● Dvir Ginzbur LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dvirginzburg/ ● Ilan Flax LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ilan-flax/ ● Email: ilan@insait.io dvir@insait.io
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| Ep 47 - Burnout to Success - Designs for Personal and Work Life | 27 Nov 2023 | 00:41:05 | |
We’re taking a little step back from bank marketing in this episode to talk about a topic that can make us all more successful, professionally and personally: self-care. Chris and Dan get personal and share their own burnout stories, and how those experiences made them realize the importance of “putting your own oxygen mask on first”. We then discuss the challenges of feeling constantly busy and overwhelmed, and the negative impact it can have on marketing and business opportunities.
Focusing on self-care isn’t selfish – it can actually make you more present in your job and family life. When we’re busy, we often don’t stop to think about it – but that’s the time when we need to focus on self-care more. Listen in for more valuable insights and actionable strategies.
In this episode: - Learn why putting your own mask on first – prioritizing your own needs - can actually make you more present in work and life. - Hear how Chris and Dan have struggled with burnout in the past, and the strategies they’ve used to avoid it since. - Achieve a harmonious balance between your personal life and your career. - Experience the transformative impact of self-care on your overall well-being and success.
Resources Mentioned: - We’d love to hear your stories! Email them to contact@bankmarketingshow.com - Bank Marketing Minute Newsletter: bankmarketingminute.com - Website: The Bank Marketing Show: bankmarketingshow.com | |||
| Ep 46 - The Neuroscience of Messaging with Grant Gooding | 13 Nov 2023 | 00:51:49 | |
Defaulting to “Trusted, Local” or “100+ Years in Business” in your bank’s messaging? Many banks think because it’s tried and true, or it’s meaningful to them, that it will also resonate with their customers and prospects. But you could actually be hindering your marketing efforts by sticking with generic messages like this. This week, Chris and Dan chat with Grant Gooding, CEO of Proof Positioning, a market research firm that specializes in measuring consumer emotions and motivations. Understanding your customer base starts with exploring the neuroscience of messaging: asking the right questions to people to understand the messages and themes that will spur them to take action. Using data and science-backed research methodologies can help you get into the minds of your customers and prospects and work towards marketing messaging that performs better and increases your ROI. Topics Include: ● Why do customers choose one bank over another? ● Why don’t the tried-and-true messages, like “Trusted and Local” work? ● How do people make buying decisions, or even decisions on which ad to click on? ● How hyper-focusing on a specific person or area can make your overall marketing more successful than trying to be everything to everyone Grant Gooding is CEO of Proof Positioning, based in Kansas City, Missouri. He got his professional start in mergers and acquisitions, working first on the legal side, then buy-side analysis, valuations, and transition management. After roughly a decade of analyzing, valuing, and transitioning hundreds of small and mid-market businesses, Grant became infatuated with market research, something that he had to work with every day. Grant determined that while valuable, almost all market research failed to address one simple yet critical question that he needed to answer for his clients: Why are people buying this product or service from your business? With his MBA emphasis in qualitative research marketing, Grant spent the next several years experimenting with methodologies and measurement techniques that could be used to discover the emotions and motivations behind purchasing intent. After working with a nationally renowned brand analyst, Grant discovered a quant method that could be used to assess brand preferences. With that as a starting point, he and his team utilized some principles of neuroscience and behavioral economics and created a new metadata system that can accurately quantify emotional resonance. Today, PROOF has executed over 500 market research engagements using its emotional resonance method. It stands as one of the most novel, compelling, and accurate ways to quantify and understand why customers do the things they do. Grant is an international speaker in Emotional Market Research and Emotional Data, an emerging field that PROOF is helping pioneer. Nerdy Fact: Grant is a classically trained vocalist who has performed in venues worldwide, including Carnegie Hall, Westminster Abbey, and St. Mark’s Basilica. He has 3 amazing children with his wife, Stacey, of over 13 years. Resources Mentioned: ● Website: https://proofpositioning.com/ ● LinkedIn: Grant C. Gooding https://www.linkedin.com/in/grantgooding/
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| Ep 45 - Drill Into Your Marketing Plan - Goals, Audience, Message | 30 Oct 2023 | 00:30:54 | |
You’re already making a strategic plan (hopefully!) – but you can make it work harder and better with more specificity. In this episode, we discuss the need for specificity when setting goals, defining a target audience, and developing a message that speaks to that audience. We also stress the importance of adaptability in strategic planning, as market conditions and customer preferences can change rapidly. Listen in for valuable insights and practical tips that will enhance your marketing strategies and increase your effectiveness in capturing your target audience.
In this episode, we talk about: - How strategic plans can boost your bank’s growth, rather than just being a to-do list item - How setting specific and measurable goals can lead to higher growth - Keeping track of your progress with precise metrics - Staying ahead of the curve with adaptable strategic planning techniques Resources Mentioned: - Bank Marketing Minute Newsletter: bankmarketingminute.com - Website: The Bank Marketing Show: bankmarketingshow.com - For a free guide to strategic planning, just email us: contact@bankmarketingshow.com with Subject Line “Strategic Plan”
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| Ep 44 - Differentiating Your Bank Through Team & Mission with Heidi Miget | 16 Oct 2023 | 00:43:42 | |
Chris and Dan chat with Heidi Miget, SVP of Marketing for Midwest BankCentre, a nearly $2.7B community bank with 17 branches and 1 loan production office in the St. Louis region. We talk through how her bank has differentiated itself with a laser focus on community and her hybrid (in-house + contractors + agencies) approach to building a marketing team. Most community bank marketing leans heavily on service and commitment to community – but Midwest BankCentre walks the walk better than almost any community bank out there. In this episode, we talk about the bank’s approach to analytics, investing in people, and a commitment to community that spans the entire bank, from CEO to teller. Learn how Heidi and her team use this commitment to differentiate the bank’s marketing, and get inspired for how to apply it at your institution. Topics Include: ● The evolution of Heidi’s marketing team from 2 to 9 full-time employees, plus agencies and contractors ● How you can use mission and values to differentiate your bank ● Using analytics to tell a more detailed story and solve problems for your customers. ● How the bank has used a digital video series and marketing campaign to tell a deeply local story that resonates with its community ● What happens when you have a team who is passionate about what they do Heidi Miget, SVP of Marketing for Midwest BankCentre, is a seasoned leader in digital marketing with over seventeen years of experience, recognized for her strategic and result-oriented campaigns that maximize marketing investments. She excels in team development, campaign analysis, and project management and has a hands-on approach to staying updated with the latest digital trends. Heidi’s expertise spans diverse industries, including banking, travel, finance, and more, with a keen focus on digital strategy and campaign planning. Resources Mentioned: ● Website: https://www.midwestbankcentre.com/ ● Digital Videos: RisingTogetherSeries.com ● Favorite Book: Profit First by Mike Michalowicz https://www.amazon.com/Profit-First-Transform-Cash-Eating-Money-Making/dp/073521414X ● Orv Kimbrough, CEO on LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/orvinkimbrough ● Heidi on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/hmiget/
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| Ep 79 - How Much Should You Spend on Marketing | 17 Feb 2025 | 00:32:28 | |
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 episode Chris and Dan discuss the crucial strategies for effective bank marketing budgeting. They emphasize the importance of digital marketing, the evolving role of bank marketers, and the significance of holding a portion of the budget for unplanned opportunities. Key insights are drawn from the American Bankers Association (ABA) article on marketing budget trends, highlighting the shift towards digital spending and the continued relevance of direct mail. The discussion provides practical advice on budget allocation, leveraging agency support, and navigating emerging marketing channels. Topics Include:
Resources Mentioned:
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| Ep 43 - Google Ads Done Wrong | 02 Oct 2023 | 00:50:46 | |
In this episode, we dive into the importance of strategy in Google Ads and digital advertising for community banks. With our expertise and experience working with bank clients, we shares valuable insights on how to make digital advertising campaigns more effective and improve customer engagement. We recall a time when we realized that simply throwing money at Google Ads doesn't guarantee success. Instead, it emphasizes the need for a well-thought-out approach and a clear understanding of the target audience. We highlight the significance of tracking and measuring the success of ad campaigns, as well as the importance of differentiating your bank from competitors. Listen as we bring to light the challenges faced by banks in the digital advertising landscape and provide practical strategies for achieving better results. In this episode, we talk about:
Resources Mentioned:
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| Ep 42 - What You Need to Know Today About Generative AI | 18 Sep 2023 | 00:39:48 | |
In this episode we dive into the buzz surrounding artificial intelligence (AI) – and specifically, Generative AI tools like ChatGPT, in the banking industry. AI is here to stay and will be utterly transformative to the financial services industry. It's crucial for financial institutions to understand the use cases and limitations, and how to incorporate AI tools into their strategies and decision-making. AI tools have the promise to allow banks to anticipate and meet the needs of their customers, providing personalized experiences that truly resonate. During this episode, we discuss the various applications of AI, from enhancing communication and tailoring messaging to improving operational efficiency and streamlining processes. We also address the importance of utilizing AI as a tool rather than fearing it as a threat to jobs, highlighting the opportunity for employees to become more productive and innovative. By beginning to understand AI today, financial institutions will be well prepared for the rapid advancements this technology will bring to the industry in the near future. In this episode, we talk about:
Resources Mentioned: - Bank Marketing Minute Newsletter: bankmarketingminute.com - Website: The Bank Marketing Show: bankmarketingshow.com - AI Resources and Research Mentioned: - The Financial Brand: How to Get Comfortable with Generative AI in Your Marketing Strategy - The Financial Brand: Pros and Cons as Bank Marketers Move Towards ChatGPT Rivals - McKinsey: AI Bank of the future: Can banks meet the challenge? - Accenture: Global Banking Consumer Study: Reignite Human Connections to Discover Hidden Value
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| Ep 41 - Creating Stickier Customers | 04 Sep 2023 | 00:34:26 | |
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 customer retention and increasing customer stickiness. We discuss stickiness factors and new ways to think about them – and get into practical strategies for increasing customer stickiness. We also chat about the need for coordination between marketing and retail teams, and the importance of leveraging technology and data to create a retention program, not just a report. By increasing stickiness, utilizing technology, and coordinating efforts between teams, we can increase customer retention and build long-lasting relationships. In this episode, we talk about:
Resources Mentioned: - Bank Marketing Minute Newsletter: bankmarketingminute.com - Website: The Bank Marketing Show: bankmarketingshow.com - For a free copy of “The Stickier Customer Playbook”, email: contact@bankmarketingshow.com with Subject Line “Stickier Customer Playbook”
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| Ep 40 - What is Work-Life Integration? | 21 Aug 2023 | 00:27:28 | |
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 so you – and your team – can find greater fulfillment in both. In this episode, Chris and Dan explore work-life integration and how you, as a bank leader, can foster a culture that leads to personal and professional fulfillment for everyone in the bank. We discuss practical strategies for achieving work-life integration, including the importance of self-care and intentional scheduling. For your team, we emphasize the changing expectations of younger generations, who prioritize flexibility and the ability to manage their personal lives while still being productive at work. In this episode, we talk about:
Resources Mentioned: - Bank Marketing Minute Newsletter: bankmarketingminute.com - Website: The Bank Marketing Show: bankmarketingshow.com
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| Ep 39 - The Importance of Brand Voice | 07 Aug 2023 | 00:35:09 | |
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, communication style, and emotions that echo the bank's mission. It’s not just the realm of marketing. Like creating a great culture, developing a brand’s voice starts from the top of the organization.
In this week’s podcast, we share salient advice on striking the right balance – finding the right chord with your chosen target audience without alienating others. This harmonization creates deeper connections between customers and your bank’s values and culture, hence increasing the customer retention and attraction.
In this episode, we talk about: - Discovering the critical role of a distinctive brand voice in banking. - Gaining insights into why bank executives themselves need to shape their brand voice. - Uncovering the power of favoring unique identity over generic descriptions for your bank. - Understanding how aligning your brand voice with the desired customer experience can reshape your institution’s public perception. - Learning how to set your brand voice apart from competitors to stand out in the industry. Resources Mentioned: - Bank Marketing Minute Newsletter: bankmarketingminute.com - Website: The Bank Marketing Show: bankmarketingshow.com - For a free guide to creating your brand voice, email: contact@bankmarketingshow.com with Subject Line “Brand Voice”
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| Ep 38 - The Power of Connection with Neil Stevens | 24 Jul 2023 | 00:46:19 | |
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, vision, and mission of your institution. When this happens, and you hire people whose personal visions are already aligned with yours, you start building a great company culture, too. In this episode, Dan Novalis, Chris Bates, and Neil Stevens discuss what goes into connected teams. Neil shares his LEAD methodology for creating stronger connections: Love, Equip, Affirm, and Develop others. Being a better and connected leader starts with prioritizing yourself and your emotional and mental health. When you treat yourself right, you can encourage a better performance from your team. Topics Include: ● Why connection is so important for bankers ● How to develop a company culture that makes sense for your organization ● Why you need strong leadership to lead your company culture ● Why leaders need to prioritize themselves and their emotional/mental health ● How to encourage better performance in your team Neil Stevens is an accomplished banker, speaker, community leader, brand strategist, and fitness enthusiast. As President & CEO of Oconee State Bank in Watkinsville, Georgia, his visionary perspective inspires growth, drives direction, and helps clear obstacles for team members to achieve their personal and professional goals. Happiest when surrounded by his family, Neil’s passion is to create a positive impact on others through servant leadership. Personal Best: Marrying my bride 35 years ago. We’ve been together for almost 40 years. Business Best: We just made an acquisition of a savings and loan company. The collaboration between our bank and their team was incredible to watch. Favorite Book or Resource: Good to Great by Jim Collins https://www.amazon.com/Good-to-Great-Jim-Collins-audiobook/dp/B003VXI5MS and The Power of Moments by Chip and Dan Heath https://www.amazon.com/The-Power-of-Moments-audiobook/dp/B074TZFTDG/ Most Impactful Advice Received: “Not everything that can be counted counts. And not everything that counts can be counted.” - Albert Einstein Advice for Staff: What’s on the walls, we must live in the halls. Our vision, mission, and values has to become part of our DNA and who we are. Resources Mentioned:
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| Ep 37 - The Secret Sauce of Recruitment with Allison McCutcheon Barcz | 10 Jul 2023 | 00:44:16 | |
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 workforce and have an increasing need for purpose in their work. For banks, it’s imperative to stand out to attract new talent, and one of the best ways to do this is by leveraging your bank’s culture and reputation. In this episode, Dan Novalis, Chris Bates, and Allison McCutcheon Barcz discuss the best ways to attract new talent to your bank. We discuss how to recognize and understand your current company culture and then talk about it with potential employees. And, hear about the biggest pain points both banks and candidates face during the hiring process. Topics Include:
Allison McCutcheon Barcz is the Chief People & Strategy Officer at Largely, a video communications platform for HR and Talent teams. Largely is a communications platform tailored for talent. We focus on bringing an authentic and differentiated experience to your talent journeys with features such as video capture and hosting candidate and employee communications and real-time analytics. Prior to joining Largely, Allison spent 20+ years in various talent and HR leadership roles, with extensive experience in recruiting and employer branding, most notably at Anheuser-Busch, where she led all talent acquisition for North America. Resources Mentioned:
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| Ep 36 - Avoiding Quick-Win Marketing | 26 Jun 2023 | 00:31:13 | |
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 excelling in them, your customers will be happier and more likely to recommend your services to others. In this episode, Chris Bates and Dan Novalis talk about the importance of deliberate discovery sessions to answer important questions about your bank's identity and goals, ultimately guiding your marketing efforts in the right direction. It's crucial to focus on the relationships you build with your community and customers to reinforce not only your brand's identity, but also your place within the community. Topics include: - How a magnetic brand fosters trust and loyalty. - Identifying brand differentiators that give you a competitive edge. - How to focus efforts toward core customer segments, maximizing your impact in the market. - Streamlining internal brand messaging for efficient bank management and motivated staff. Resources Mentioned: - Bank Marketing Minute Newsletter: bankmarketingminute.com - Website: The Bank Marketing Show: bankmarketingshow.com - Email: contact@bankmarketingshow.com
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| Ep 35 - Finding Digital Ad performance and ROI with Alana Levine - CRO, Fintel Connect | 12 Jun 2023 | 00:47:04 | |
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 if you just throw money at them. In this episode, Dan Novalis, Chris Bates, and Alana Levine, CRO of Fintel Connect, discuss finding digital ad performance and ROI. It is possible for banks to track digital ad ROI – and it’s probably easier than you think. We discuss how important it is for the entire marketing system to work well, that all aspects must be measured and tracked, and we get into the process for how to track them. Topics Include: - What is tracking, and why should you do it? - Setting clear goals and objectives - Pros and cons of conversion-based metrics vs. visibility metrics - Performance monitoring - How digital ads and tracking support business goals - And other topics... Alana Levine is CRO and founding member of Fintel Connect (fintelconnect.com), the leading growth marketing solution built for the financial industry. Alana has experience across multiple niche verticals servicing 50+ markets worldwide, with a passion for partnerships, marketing, and business development. She previously held leadership roles in SaaS technology and fintech businesses and holds bachelor’s degrees in economics and psychology and a post-graduate degree in finance from McGill University. - Personal Best: Skiing the Couloir Extreme in Whistler - Business Best: Raising Fintel Connect’s first round last year with BankTech Ventures - Favorite Book: Predictably Irrational by Dr. Dan Ariely - Most Impactful Advice Received: Focus on what you can control and not on what you can’t. - Advice for Staff: When you focus on contribution and creating value, great things happen. Resources Mentioned: - Fintel Connect: fintelconnect.com - LinkedIn: Alana Levine - Twitter: @Alana_Fintel - Website: The Bank Marketing Show - Email: contact@bankmarketingshow.com
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| Ep 34 - Networking: The Power of Community for Your Career and Bank | 29 May 2023 | 00:29:59 | |
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 noticed or advancing in your career. We all know it, but fostering genuine relationships leads to increased knowledge, growth, and opportunities. Furthermore, connecting with others can bring forth valuable insights from different sectors, pain points, and successes, leveling up the innovation in your own work. In the episode, Chris Bates and Dan Novalis highlight the importance of engaging with various sectors in the C-suite and competitors to stay on top of emerging trends. Networking is frequently talked about – the goal is not to make you the world’s best networker, but rather to bring some motivation to your day to meet and chat with new people. Topics Include:
Resources Mentioned: - Bank Marketing Minute Newsletter - Website: The Bank Marketing Show - Email: contact@bankmarketingshow.com
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| Ep 78 - Good Marketing Starts With Culture | 03 Feb 2025 | 00:29:46 | |
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 audiences. Highlighting real-world examples, they emphasize the value of genuine storytelling featuring employees and community activities. They also outline the significant role of leadership support in fostering a culture that reflects positively in marketing strategies, ultimately helping community banks to differentiate themselves and connect better with customers. Topics Include:
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| Ep 33 - Competing on Customer Experience with Joann Marsili | 15 May 2023 | 00:46:01 | |
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, is doing, but resist the urge. Focus on what your customers need instead. In this episode, Chris and Dan interview Joann Marsili, CFMP, and EVP, Chief Marketing, and Digital Experience Officer of Fidelity Bank in Leominster, Massachusetts. We dive deep into the differences between customer experience and customer service – and how to create a cohesive experience across all your platforms (ATMs, call center, branch, app, online). Your clients want to share their experiences to help your community bank better serve their needs, so give them a line to do that. Listen for tips on how. Topics Include: ● The difference, and similarities, between marketing and customer experience ● Why you have to do both digital and physical marketing ● Why community banks need to focus on their own brand ● How to connect with the voice of your customers ● How technology can create a better customer experience ● How to create feedback loops at your bank Joann Marsili, CFMP, is the Executive Vice President, Chief Marketing, and Digital Experience Officer of Fidelity Bank in Leominster, Massachusetts. With nearly 20 years of banking experience, Joann Marsili’s expertise lies within her ability to successfully align marketing vision with sales execution. Over the years, that means creating strategic relevancy by working to transform the banking environment digitally. In her current role, she is working to bridge the gap between physical and digital client experiences while helping to build an organization poised to take on the future. As brand steward, Joann has created and managed programming that helped result in her previous bank being recognized for its client experience. It was named one of Forbes's “Best-In-State Banks" twice, voted “Best Bank” 8 times by regional newspapers, and, while early adoption of social media, was named “Top 50 Community Banks in Social Media" for two years in a row by the Independent Community Bankers Association (ICBA). Joann takes the time to give back, providing time, talent, and treasure to local, regional, and national causes. Today, she serves on the Board of Directors for Meals on Wheels, NEPA, and has been a part of its fundraising committee since 2015. She's also been appointed for a second time to the Lackawanna County, PA Commission for Women, serves on the Finance Committee of the Maternal and Family Health Services of Northeast PA, and sits on the Advisory Board for the Marketing Steering Committee at the University of Scranton. Joann is an Advisory Board Member for the American Bankers Association (ABA) School of Bank Marketing and Management, where she’s been an instructor for the “Return on Investment” course since 2016. She graduated from the ABA School of Bank Marketing and proudly maintains her Certified Financial Marketing Professional designation. She received her undergraduate degree in Broadcast/Speech Communications from Penn State University and her Masters in Business Administration from Wilkes University. Resources Mentioned: ● LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joann-marsili-cfmp-6b734a3/
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| Ep 32 - How Banks and Small Businesses Connect Better with Derik Sutton | 01 May 2023 | 00:44:02 | |
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 Autobooks, is a small business and bank marketing expert. Dan and Chris chat with him about the best ways banks can build trust and relationships with their small business customers at every stage of the journey, through educational content marketing, sales and marketing frameworks (including the “Jobs To Be Done” Framework), and more. Topics Include: - How Autobooks became the small business expert - Understanding the customer journey from the first thought through building loyalty - Using content marketing to move prospects through the funnel - Creating educational content for every stage of the customer journey - How to use a prospect’s questions to create great content - And more... Derik Sutton is the Chief Marketing Officer for Autobooks (Autobooks.co), leading all financial and small business-facing marketing teams at Autobooks. In this role, he interacts with both sides of the small business banking market—the financial institutions and the small businesses. Being at the epicenter of the small business banking market provides access to unique insights that Derik regularly shares at industry conferences, on podcasts, and through Autobooks-created content. Resources Mentioned: - LinkedIn: Derik Sutton - Autobooks: Autobooks.co - Autobooks Resources: https://www.autobooks.co/marketing - Book: Competing Against Luck by Clayton M. Christensen - Book: Demand-Side Sales 101 by Bob Moesta - Favorite Book: The Reason for God by Timothy Keller - Website: The Bank Marketing Show - Email: contact@bankmarketingshow.com
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| Ep 31 - The Role of Marketing in Crisis Communications | 17 Apr 2023 | 00:31:22 | |
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 marketing is the key. In this episode, Dan Novalis and Chris Bates discuss the role of marketing in crisis communications, why it’s crucial to have a plan, and how marketing and PR are correlated. They also discuss the basics of creating a crisis communication plan so everyone knows their role if a crisis occurs. Topics Include: - Why you should have a crisis communication plan - How marketing and PR are correlated - The importance of proactive messaging - And more... Resources Mentioned: - Donations For The MS Tornado Crisis: Bank of Anguilla Disaster Relief Fund - Website: The Bank Marketing Show - Email: contact@bankmarketingshow.com
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| Ep 30 - Think Like a Brand, Not a Bank | 03 Apr 2023 | 00:56:20 | |
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 everyone in the bank, from teller to CEO. Banks and companies that focus on their brand almost always outperform in their markets – and we discuss examples of banks that have done just that. We also chat about the five principles shared in the book: doing counterintuitive things, embracing tension, cueing the remix, products that aren’t what they used to be, and coaching and composing. Topics Include:
Allison Netzer started her career at Dell, working across various cross-industry sales and marketing roles in the United States, India, and Japan. Over the past two decades, Allison has worked with brands like the Dallas Cowboys, Cisco, Southwest Airlines, and Aetna. Liz High has shaped corporate and brand strategy utilizing data-driven insight in nearly every industry by drawing on extensive marketing agency experience. Liz has founded multiple successful marketing and insight agencies with clients ranging from Amazon and HBO to GE Money and Citibank. Resources Mentioned:
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