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Explore every episode of the podcast Bank Marketing Show

Dive into the complete episode list for Bank Marketing Show. Each episode is cataloged with detailed descriptions, making it easy to find and explore specific topics. Keep track of all episodes from your favorite podcast and never miss a moment of insightful content.

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TitlePub. DateDuration
Ep 111 - AI Insights #2 - Where It Is Going01 May 202600:26:42

AI isn't going to replace your entire marketing team tomorrow. But it is going to change what you do, and how fast you're expected to do it.  It's already reducing marketing hiring and eventually will impact team sizes. Banks and bank marketers that start learning these tools now, will get ahead of slower-moving competitors (both smaller AND larger ones) who are stuck in analysis paralysis about what to do. And, becoming the go-to AI person in your bank will help your career.

This is part two of our two-part series based on the AI webinar we recently gave with our partner, Kadince. Here, we dive into the topics in more depth that we were able to cover on the webinar. But the webinar's not a prerequisite!

In this episode, we cover:

  • ·       What we think AI's impacts to bank marketing, and banking in general, will be over the next 12 months, next 3 years, and beyond
  • ·       How banking itself may change as the technology advances
  • ·       Five things you can do this week to start weaving AI tech into your day-to-day

Resources mentioned:

·         Watch the full webinar at bankmarketingshow.com

·         Email us at contact@bankmarketingshow.com for the full webinar deck

·         Subscribe to our companion newsletter at bankmarketingminute.com

Ep 110 - AI Insights #1 - What You Should Be Doing Today24 Apr 202600:35:27

AI can write your tagline in 5 seconds.  Should it?

Not in 5 seconds, because you'll sound like every other bank. AI gives you the average of the internet, and the average community bank's marketing is, well, average.

Dan and Chris break down what bank marketers should actually be doing with AI right now – how to add your human judgment, local feel and emotional nuance to AI tools, so you get great outputs instead of average ones.

This is part one of a two-part series based on the AI webinar we recently gave with our partner, Kadince. Here, we dive into the topics in more depth that we were able to cover on the webinar. But the webinar's not a prerequisite!

In this episode, we cover:

  • ·         Why AI-generated content looks polished, but generic
  • ·         The 80-20 rule for making AI output better
  • ·         A 6-part prompting formula you can apply to any situation
  • ·         Quick wins you can do this week

Resources mentioned:

·         Watch the full webinar at bankmarketingshow.com 

·         Email us at contact@bankmarketingshow.com for the full webinar deck

·         Subscribe to our companion newsletter at bankmarketingminute.com

Ep 101 - Emily Schwartz - From Content to Education: Building Trust Through Financial Wellness22 Dec 202500:45:44

Community Banks produce a lot of "educational" content, but a lot of it is thinly disguised sales material, or sounds the same as 1,000 other "how to buy your first home" blogs.

In this episode, we sit down with Emily Schwartz, Director of Financial Education at MidFirst Bank, about how her team helps build real trust in her bank, by focusing on education first.

If you are tired of just checking the boxes with your content, and trying to avoid "AI slop" (as you should be!), this episode is a great way to reframe how you approach financial education – no matter the size of your bank.

What we cover in this episode:

·         The difference between truly educating your customers and prospects, versus just creating blogs

·         Where to find the best education topics (hint: it's not keyword tools)

·         Why smaller banks don't need big teams to start doing this well

·         How education can support brand, loyalty, and community impact, without feeling salesy

·         The results that MidFirst has seen from their efforts

Links & Resources

·         Connect with Emily on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/emily-schwartz-ph-d-372a7815/

·         Book: Inspired by Matt Richtel

·         Website: https://bankmarketingshow.com 

·         Sign up for our newsletter: https://bankmarketingminute.com 

·         Contact Chris and Dan: contact@bankmarketingshow.com 

 

Ep 11 - Answers to Essential Questions Around Your Marketing Budget07 Jul 202200:41:20

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 compare what banks offer, if your bank isn't competing in the online space, you're behind the curve.

 

In this episode, Dan Novalis and Chris bates discuss the steps to planning your budget, checking out the competitive environment, and figuring out your allotment across marketing platforms. They stress the importance of your digital marketing budget, how to allocate your branding spend, your measured direct response, and why you need to take advantage of short-term opportunities.

 

Topics Include:

  • What your budget should be
  • How to plan your budget
  • Using strategic planning and marketing to achieve your bank's goals
  • What the current Competitive Environment is
  • Identifying your competitors and what they're doing
  • Long-term ongoing budgets vs short-term opportunities
  • What your allotment should be across marketing platforms
  • Branding spend vs. measured direct response
  • The importance of digital marketing - it's growing at 12.8% annually!
  • And other topics…

 

Resources Mentioned:

Ep 10 - How to be Customer-Centric in Today's Dynamic Marketplace27 Jun 202200:44:18

To compete with big banks, community institutions need to lean on personal elements and specific niche communications in order to set them apart.  It starts with paying attention to your local market and what they want and what they're passionate about.

In this episode, Dan Novalis, Chris Bates, and Jim Perry discuss the importance of maintaining that personal and human element. They discuss how to use digital technology to add a personal touch to your service, and how to shift your marketing from a transactional focus to a relationship focus.

Topics Include:

  • Importance of paying attention to your local market
  • Keeping the personal touch
  • What it takes to compete with big banks
  • Focusing on one pain point
  • Making banking more human
  • Aligning marketing with customer values
  • Niching vs. generalists
  • And other topics...

Jim Perry is a Senior Strategist at Marketing Insights, Inc., a consulting firm specializing in the development of data-driven strategies that help community banks and credit unions grow. Jim has worked with organizations in both the profit and not-for-profit sectors and has helped community banks and credit unions through his affiliation with Market Insights and in his own private practice. He has extensive experience in organizational management, marketing, branding, communications, executive coaching, leadership development, and strategic planning.

Resources Mentioned:

 

Ep 09 - Planning, Positioning, and Offers - How to Avoid the Race to the Bottom13 Jun 202200:42:02

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 messaging that solves a customer's problems.

 

In this episode, Dan Novalis and Chris Bates discuss everything you need to know about products and offers. They discuss why it's important to target specific audiences, consider the lifetime value of each customer, develop the personality of your bank, and much more.

 

Topics Include:

  • Differentiating your ads and messaging
  • Identifying your target audience persona
  • Making sure the audience sees the value
  • Considering the lifetime value of a customer
  • Developing the personality of the bank
  • Planning Products
  • Positioning
  • Solving pain points
  • Understanding the customer and problems first
  • Offers and incentives
  • Ad copy and messaging
  • And other topics...

Resources Mentioned:

Ep 08 - Narrowing Your Audience to Create Excited Customers19 May 202200:36:07

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, you'll become customer-focused and increase your marketing's effectiveness.

In this episode, Dan Novalis and Chris Bates discuss some methods of narrowing down your audience and creating campaigns that get people excited. They discuss the importance of transitioning from product-focused campaigns to problem-focused campaigns, modern marketing vs. traditional marketing, and putting the customer first.

Topics Include:

  • Transitioning from product-focused campaigns to problem-focused campaigns
  • Effective messaging
  • Narrowing the audience
  • Gen Z, Gen X, Millennials, Baby Boomers
  • Chime
  • Using data to identify what products to drive
  • Community-focus
  • Modern marketing
  • Omni-channel campaigns
  • Customer-first marketing
  • And other topics...

Resources Mentioned:

Ep 07 - The Pulse of the Industry and Advocacy through Marketing with Gordon Fellows – President & CEO of the Mississippi Bankers Association (MBA)16 May 202200:46:31

A lot has changed in the banking industry over the past 15 years. Banks play a great role in supporting local communities, and they should be sharing what efforts they are taking to create positive change. It's time to stop being humble, especially because marketing on social media is not for the humble.

In this episode, Dan Novalis, Chris Bates, and Gordon Fellows discuss the current state of the banking industry, advocacy through marketing, and how banks work together for the betterment of the industry. They also discuss bank messaging and the changing public perception of banks.

Topics Include:

  • Increasing costs in the industry
  • Consolidation
  • The effect of the pandemic on the banking industry
  • Changes in bank messaging
  • Creating content to draw the right customers
  • Trade associations and advocacy
  • Working together for the betterment of the industry
  • Storytelling in bank marketing
  • The changing public perception of banks
  • And other topics...

Gordon Fellows serves as President and CEO of the Mississippi Bankers Association (MBA), the state's unified voice for the banking industry for over 130 years. He oversees all aspects of the association, including the MBA's policy advocacy and Government Relations initiatives. In addition to leading the MBA's advocacy efforts at the Mississippi State Capitol and working closely with the Mississippi Congressional Delegation, he also works with the national banking trade groups to support industry issues at the federal level.                     

Active in both state and federal industry affairs, Fellows currently serves on the American Bankers Association BankPac Committee and is a Federal Delegate Board Member for the Independent Community Bankers of America. At the state level, he serves on the Board of Directors of the Mississippi Business and Political Education Committee, more commonly known as BIPEC.                                     

Fellows also leads the association's various industry education and professional development programs. He serves in an administrative role and is a member of the faculty for the Mississippi School of Banking at the University of Mississippi and serves as Secretary of the MBA Education Foundation. Additionally, he currently serves as a trustee for the Graduate School of Banking at Louisiana State University.                             

Fellows joined the Association in 2012 after working in the furniture industry for six years. During his career in the furniture industry, Fellows was based in China on two separate occasions working for different companies. During his time abroad, he managed a broad global supply chain, developed strategic sourcing relationships, and oversaw quality control and product development initiatives.                   

A native of Tupelo, MS, he earned a Bachelor's degree in international studies at the Croft Institute at the University of Mississippi in 2006. During his time at Ole Miss, Fellows was active in various aspects of student life. He was elected Associated Student Body President and was selected to the University of Mississippi Hall of Fame. Fellows is married to the former Sara Hart Rosenblatt and resides in Madison, MS.

  • Business Best: Being recognized by the SBA as a key resource with the PPP.
  • Favorite Book: Founding Brothers by Joseph Ellis
  • Most Impactful Advice Received: Nobody who gave his best ever regretted it.
  • Advice for Staff: Take credit for the work you do. Make sure you're talking about it and getting credit for it.

Resources Mentioned:

 

Ep 06 - Weaving Your Values & Purpose Into Your Work with Chris Kellum02 May 202200:46:07

There's a big difference between having financial success and being impactful in the work that you do. Determining what will help bring you vision and fulfillment can be a struggle, but author Chris Kellum has created a game plan and playbook titled Igniting Your Purpose, that is designed to help you determine your 'why' and lead a fulfilling life.  Chris has worked with numerous NFL, MLB and college sports stars and also applies the game plan and playbook to corporate teams.

In this episode, Dan Novalis, Chris Bates, and Chris Kellum discuss how to find your path based on your core values. They discuss the importance of making your values a part of the culture of your business, making authentic connections, and being the change by leading the way.

Topics Include:

  • Financial success vs. fulfillment
  • Neuroscience
  • The game plan & playbook
  • Identifying your values
  • Finding your path based on your core values
  • Making your values a part of your culture
  • Maintaining culture through a change of leadership
  • How clarity produces confidence
  • The importance of having a plan
  • Authentic connections
  • Leading the way
  • Risk-aversion
  • Finding your 'why'
  • The "Clarity, Confidence, Courage, Calling" system
  • And other topics...

 Chris Kellum is the author of Igniting Your Purpose and co-owner of Team Kellum. He is an executive coach, speaker, and trainer who helps develop high-performance leaders, teams, and cultures.

  • Personal Best: Becoming who he is today after going through the difficult experiences of having numerous spine surgeries.
  • Favorite Book: It Takes What It Takes by Trevor Moawad, The Bible
  • Most Impactful Advice Received: Serve first, add value first.
  • Advice for Staff: You weren't created to be average. There's greatness in you because greatness created you.

Resources Mentioned:

 

Ep 05 - Channel & Tactics Mix for Your Marketing18 Apr 202200:54:20

Ep 05 - Channel & Tactics Mix for Your Marketing The old marketing adage of "right time, right place, right message" still works today – but successful bank marketers know that lots of right times, right places, and right messages need to be running in parallel for the most effective marketing campaigns. In this episode, Dan Novalis and Chris Bates break down the importance of multi-channel marketing for bank marketers.  They discuss the importance of balancing your digital and local presence, and the value of digital community engagement, digital advertising, and building trust with brand awareness.

Topics Include:

  • Channel mix
  • What channels are best for which audiences
  • Having a local presence
  • Digital community engagement
  • Social media
  • Websites & the 5-second rule
  • Search engine optimization (SEO)
  • Building a local presence
  • Digital advertising
  • Google Ads
  • Impressions, conversions, & clicks
  • Building trust with brand awareness
  • Multi-touch opportunities
  • And other topics...

Resources Mentioned:

 

Ep 04 - Community as your Marketing Superpower with Shannon Aker - Bank of Brookhaven President05 Apr 202200:36:02
It is essential for banks to keep up with advances in technology and to stay relevant. However, while younger customers may prefer online banking, many older customers prefer traditional banking. Financial institutions have to find the right balance between traditional marketing and digital marketing so that they can reach all segments of their audience. In this episode, Dan Novalis, Chris Bates, and Shannon Aker discuss the importance of investing in technology and balancing both traditional and digital marketing methods. Shannon Aker shares his expertise from 35 years in the banking industry with insight into how banking is a service industry, and putting a personal touch on service is what makes a bank stand out from the competition. Topics Include:
  • Community loans
  • PPP loans
  • Commercial lending
  • Newspaper & radio marketing
  • Balancing traditional & digital marketing
  • Targeting your audience
  • Providing a personal touch
  • Investing in technology
  • Community banking
  • Online banking
  • Protecting your customers
  • Megabanks
  • Banking is a service industry
  • And other topics... 
Shannon Aker is the president of the Bank of Brookhaven in Brookhaven, MS, where he has worked for 21 of his 35 total years of banking experience. Shannon recently completed a term on the board of directors for the Mississippi Bankers Association. He has been involved in leading numerous community improvement organizations over the years.

Resources Mentioned:

Ep 02 - Strategic Planning28 Mar 202200:43:58
Having a strategic marketing plan is essential for any business, including the banking industry. The hardest thing to do when it comes to strategic planning is simply setting aside the time to actually do it. Granted, you may run into obstacles along the way, but you need the direction that strategic planning provides.   In this episode, Dan Novalis and Chris Bates discuss what a strategic marketing plan is and why you should have one. They also share key ideas that are important for you to know before beginning to plan, such as knowing your audience and knowing your bank's goals. Join Dan and Chris as they share everything you need to know to begin strategic planning.  

Topics Include:

  • What is a strategic plan?
  • Why have a strategic plan?
  • How to put together a strategic plan
  • Knowing your audience
  • Knowing your bank's goals
  • Identifying products & personas
  • Seeing marketing as fuel for growth
  • Being brave with your budget
  • Technology & shiny object syndrome
  • Reaching Millennials
  • Automation tools
  • CRM
  • Making analytics readable
  • Targeting segments
  • Messaging
  • What is your bank's superpower?
  • Emotions & imagery
  • Tactics & channels
  • And other topics...

 

Resources Mentioned:

Ep 03 - Bank Marketing with Adam Koishor - Marketing & Communications Executive18 Mar 202200:33:39
Bank marketing has changed over the years, largely due to advancements in technology. Standing out as a financial institution requires creating a brand story and implementing technology in your marketing plan. However, there are marketing differences between credit unions and banks that you need to be aware of. In this episode, Dan Novalis, Chris Bates, and Adam Koishor discuss the differences between credit unions and banks. They also discuss the advantages and disadvantages of credit unions. Adam provides valuable insight into bank marketing from his 25 years of experience in the industry. Topics Include:
  • Credit unions vs. banks
  • Advantages and disadvantages of credit unions
  • Marketing differences between credit unions and banks
  • Brand stories
  • What is your financial institution solving for customers?
  • Technology and digital channels
  • Leveraging data
  • Video content
  • Standing out as a financial institution
  • Staying one step ahead of the consumer
  • Simplifying the banking process
  • Automation & tracking
  • Making staff aware of marketing efforts
  • And other topics...

Adam Koishor is a marketing and communications executive. He has 25 years of experience in marketing at community banks and regional credit unions. He has overseen a lot of impressive growth on the marketing side in all of his roles. During his career, he has seen technology change how bank marketing is done.

  • Personal Best: His daughter graduating from college.
  • Business Best: Building a brand with community involvement.
  • Favorite Book: Leadership books
  • Bingeable TV Show: Ozark, The Sopranos
  • Most Impactful Advice Received: When you make a mistake, take responsibility. Find a way to prevent it from happening again, don't blame other people, and learn from it. If you take responsibility for your mistakes, you will earn respect.
  • Advice for Staff: Speak up. Give your opinion and perspective.

Resources Mentioned:

Ep 100 - 100th - Chris & Dan in the Hot Seat08 Dec 202501:01:49

100 episodes. Four seasons. Many dozens of conversations with bank leaders and innovators – and we're just getting started!

In this milestone episode, Chris and Dan look back at what they've learned from these conversations, and where they think community bank marketing is headed next.

They also turn the cameras on themselves – and put each other in the hot seat with surprise questions that dig into strategy, personal best practices, and how to navigate what's coming in 2025 and beyond.

In this episode:

  •        The biggest shifts in bank marketing since the show began in early 2022
  •        Lessons learned from dozens of interviews with industry experts
  •        What's working right now in brand, digital, and AI-driven marketing
  •        Key themes we expect to define the next year of bank marketing
  •        A special 100th episode Hot Seat session where Dan and Chris challenge each other with unrehearsed questions

Links & Resources

Ep 01 - Meet Dan Novalis & Chris Bates14 Mar 202200:21:56
In this episode, podcast hosts Dan Novalis and Chris Bates introduce themselves and provide brief backstories on what led them to create this podcast. With their extensive experience in the marketing industry, they are both on a mission to teach and share best practices about bank marketing that will help marketing leaders and execs from financial institutions of all sizes find their superpower.   Dan owns a bank marketing agency in St. Louis, MO called 2Novas. He has worked in advertising technology, with marketing tech startups, and has done marketing strategy consulting. He has a primary focus on technology, analytics, and using data to run better marketing campaigns.   Chris started his own marketing agency in 2009, where he began to specialize in screen-facing services such as web design, SEO, social, and digital ads. In 2020, his company merged with another advertising agency to form Agora Eversole, which works primarily in the banking niche. He has a focus on growing brands, platform engagement, conversion, and being a brand guardian.  

Future episodes will contain helpful information about technology, SEO, current trends, interviews with other bank marketing leaders and execs, and success stories. In addition to Dan and Chris riffing about their favorite marketing topics, they will also feature expert guests who have a wealth of knowledge to share.

 

Topics Include:

  • Who the podcast is for
  • Why the podcast was created
  • What to expect
  • Get to know Dan Novalis
  • Get to know Chris Bates
  • Educating through bank marketing
  • Marketing in rural areas vs. metro areas
  • How humanness affects our business lives
  • The best marketing comes down to relationships
  • Strategic marketing planning
  • And other topics...

 

Resources:

Ep 99 - The Future of AI Agents - How Community Banks Win SMB Relationships - with Jared Shulman and Jerry Shu24 Nov 202500:55:23

AI Agents are quickly becoming the biggest competitive edge for community banks to win and serve small business customers.

Chris and Dan sat down with the co-founders of Daylit, Jared Shulman (CEO) and Jerry Shu (CTO), to break down what AI agents actually are, how they work, and why banks should be thinking about building an AI Agent portfolio to stand out in the highly competitive SMB market. 

Daylit (formerly Lendica) is the leading AI Agent for accounts receivable for SMBs, and they share deep insight into how businesses think, how they adopt new tools, and what they will expect from their financial partners in the next few years.

If you've been hearing the buzz about AI agents, and thinking about how they fit into your bank's AI strategy, this is a must-listen.

In this episode:

  •         What AI Agents really are, and what makes them different from just an LLM
  •         How AI Agents give SMBs enterprise-level financial intelligence, without the enterprise-level budget
  •         How community banks can use AI-enabled services to attract, retain, and grow SMB customers
  •         Why embedded fintechs and non-banks are quietly becoming competitors – and how to differentiate
  •         Practical ways banks can partner with AI technology vendors, without taking on additional regulatory or credit risk

 

Links & Resources

  •         Launch Event!  Daylit is releasing the newest version of their AI AR Agent on December 2, 2025 at 6pm ET.  Register here: https://luma.com/me4l88i0

·         Daylit: daylit.com

·         Follow Daylit on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/thedaylit/

·         Follow Daylit on X: https://x.com/daylit_ai

·         Follow Daylit on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@lendica

·         Book: Zero to One

·         Follow Jared on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/shulman-jared/

·         Follow Jerry on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jerry-shu-8502591b/

 

Connect with Chris & Dan

·         Website: bankmarketingshow.com

·         Email: contact@bankmarketingshow.com

·         Companion Newsletter: bankmarketingminute.com or https://www.linkedin.com/newsletters/bank-marketing-minute-7240439067794948098

Ep 98 - Randy Dorn - Lessons from a Rebrand10 Nov 202500:55:13

What happens when a 120-year-old community bank decides to take a bold leap forward? Randy Dorn, President of My Kind of Bank (formerly First National Bank of Henning), joins Chris and Dan to share the story behind their rebrand — from internal debates to a powerful cultural transformation that united staff and energized customers.

Randy reveals how a name change became more than a marketing move — it became a statement of purpose. This episode dives deep into how community banks can modernize without losing their soul, and how to turn a rebrand into a growth engine that drives engagement, loyalty, and pride.

Main Topics Covered:

• Why "doing nothing" is riskier than rebranding

• How My Kind of Bank turned a marketing idea into a brand identity

• The internal culture shift that made the brand stick

• Turning employees into local heroes (and why it works better than celebrity ads)

• Using digital marketing, SEO audits, and referral programs to turn a new brand into measurable growth

• How to approach board conversations about risk, tradition, and change

 

Resources & Links Mentioned:

• Randy's email: randy.dorn@mykindofbank.com

• My Kind of Bank: mykindofbank.com

• Website: bankmarketingshow.com

• Sign up for our newsletter: bankmarketingminute.com

• Contact Chris and Dan: contact@bankmarketingshow.com

Ep 97 - Charles LeFevre - AI, Compliance, and the Marketer's Dilemma27 Oct 202500:42:21

Compliance and marketing don't have to be enemies, especially in the age of AI. In this episode, Charles LeFevre, Director of Compliance Operations at Kadince (and self-proclaimed "Taylor Swift of Compliance"), joins us to break down how these two sides can work together to move faster, stay compliant, and even have a little fun doing it.

You'll hear how AI is reshaping the marketer–compliance relationship, and where there are opportunities for smarter collaboration, fewer bottlenecks, and better outcomes for everyone.

In this episode:

  • Why "best practices" can actually kill creativity
  • How to build realistic AI usage policies that empower your team
  • The right balance between guardrails and innovation when using AI
  • How smaller banks can use AI to leap ahead of big institutions
  • Charles's three-lines-of-defense model for marketing + compliance collaboration

Links & Resources:

Charles's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/talktochuck/ 

🌐 bankmarketingshow.com

📰 Sign up for our newsletter: bankmarketingminute.com

📩 Contact Chris and Dan: contact@bankmarketingshow.com

 

Ep 96 - Crucial Considerations for your 2026 Marketing Strategy13 Oct 202500:40:38

If your 2026 plan looks like 2025's...you may not be adapting to all the technology- and user behavior-driven changes that have happened this year.

In this episode, Chris and Dan chat about all these changes, and lay out a simple checklist to use as your 2026 strategy comes together - including adjusting budgets, getting found with GEO and SEO, and speaking directly to customer problems.

Key topics:

- Why you should audit your digital visibility as the first input to your strategic plan

- How allocating budget should be different than last year

- Building initiatives around specific customer problems/niches

 

Links and resources:

- Website: bankmarketingshow.com

- Newsletter: bankmarketingminute.com

- Contact Chris and Dan: contact@bankmarketingshow.com

Ep 95 - AI Search - How to Stay Ahead of the Curve29 Sep 202500:35:59

Is SEO really dead—or is AI search just the new shiny object? In this episode, Chris and Dan break down the buzz around Generative Engine Optimization (GEO) and what it actually means for community banks. (spoiler: SEO isn't going anywhere, but banks that act now have a huge opportunity to get ahead while everyone else is still watching from the sidelines) 

What we cover in this episode:  

  • Why "SEO is dead" headlines are misleading—and what's really happening  

  • How SEO and GEO overlap and where they differ 

  • Why customer reviews and human "proof" matter more than ever in AI search  

  • How to structure your content for conversational, AI-driven results  

  • Quick, practical steps any community bank can start on today  

  • Why now is the easiest time to outrun your competition in search  

Links & Resources:  

  • Contact Chris and Dan: contact@bankmarketingshow.com 

Ep 94 - Sharveen Kumar - How Banks Can Adopt AI While Adding To Their Personal Touch15 Sep 202500:47:15

There's lots of hype in the marketplace about how AI is taking over – and while the promise is that AI can help personalize customer experiences at scale, community banks are worried that it will actually make customer service feel more generic and less personal.

This week, Chris and Dan talk with Sharveen Kumar, former NVIDIA-backed founder and ex-marketing leader at Amex, about the opportunity for banks to use AI to gain more personal touch with AI. By using AI in the right ways, it takes the mundane, repeatable tasks off your plate and actually creates more opportunities for you to do what you do best: build customer relationships.

Main Topics Covered

·         Personalization is the differentiator: banks have rare, long-term 1:1 relationships—most banks focus on protecting and scaling that edge. 

·         Start with data, not tools: CRM usage, clean legacy data, and connected sources are the foundation for any AI win.

·         Beware shiny objects: many enterprise AI POCs fail; map processes and decide where AI should (and shouldn't) play. 

·         Where AI actually helps: automate the 30–40% "one-liner" service requests so teams can focus on deeper conversations. 

·         Practical workflow moves: capture conversation notes, let AI surface opportunities, and free humans for high-value outreach. 

·         Tiered experiences without losing the human touch: segment service levels thoughtfully, then invest saved time into relationship banking. 

Books Mentioned

·         On the Road — Jack Kerouac 

·         Breath: The New Science of a Lost Art — James Nestor 

Guest Bio

Sharveen is a former NVIDIA-backed AI startup founder, now pioneering multi-agent solutions for finance and technology enterprises. He previously led marketing at global powerhouses including Singapore Airlines, American Express, LinkedIn, and The Trade Desk. Beyond building companies, Sharveen invests in emerging ventures and mentors the next generation of professionals.

https://www.linkedin.com/in/sharveenkumarl/

Links & Resources

Website: bankmarketingshow.com 

Sign up for our newsletter: bankmarketingminute.com 

Contact Chris and Dan: contact@bankmarketingshow.com 

 

Ep 93 - Use AI to Build a 90-Day Content Calendar (in Real Time!)01 Sep 202500:18:48

EP 93: Use AI to Build a 90-Day Content Calendar (in Real Time)

In this second hands-on demo (see Ep 89: AI Starter Kit for the first one), Dan shares his screen to walk through a real example: how a custom GPT can take just three real customer questions and instantly generate 90 days of social posts, blog topics, and image suggestions—all formatted and ready to use. 

 If you've been using ChatGPT or another LLM, but haven't started building repeatable processes yet, this episode will get you started. Here, we talk about content creation - but there's so much more you can do with custom GPTs.

***Haven't subscribed to our YouTube channel yet?  This is a great episode to watch there!***

What We Cover:

-        Why good prompts still matter (even with automation)

-        How to build a reusable, branded custom GPT - Generating a full 90-day content calendar from 3 questions

-        Downloadable CSVs, stock images, and blog ideas—all prepped for execution

-        Tips for keeping your content local, human, and brand-consistent

-        Bonus: how to turn this into a repeatable quarterly process

Want access to the exact GPT we used in this episode? Email us at contact@bankmarketingshow.com with subject line "Content Calendar GPT" and we'll send you the link.

Links & Resources:

·       Website: bankmarketingshow.com 

·       Sign up for the companion newsletter: bankmarketingminute.com 

·       Contact Chris and Dan: contact@bankmarketingshow.com

Ep 92 - Justin Stayrook – The Opportunities of AI Beyond LLMs18 Aug 202500:55:25

AI isn't just for the big players—it might be your small bank's biggest advantage.

In this episode, Chris and Dan interview Justin Stayrook, Chief Growth Officer at EYEMAGINE, about how AI is transforming operations for lean marketing teams in community banks and credit unions. From cutting project timelines to boosting output without increasing staff, Justin shares why now is the time to act.

What we cover:

·         Why AI adoption is moving faster than any technology shift before it

·         How small marketing teams can outperform larger competitors with AI tools

·         Quality vs. speed: why AI can actually improve both

·         The "AI as an operating system" approach to business processes

·         Why your agency partners should have a clear AI plan—and how to start that conversation

·         Real examples of community financial institutions using AI to lead innovation

About Justin

Justin Stayrook is a growth-focused executive and AI strategist who helps companies scale profitably in the age of GenAI. With a track record of driving transformation from early-stage ventures to large enterprises, Justin blends deep experience in private equity, customer experience, and digital commerce. As Chief Growth Officer at EYEMAGINE and founder of Joint Journeys, he advises firms on how to modernize their go-to-market strategy, optimize operations, and compete with intelligence. His leadership has shaped partnerships and earned him recognition for innovation and revenue growth.

Links & Resources:

Justin's Email: justin@eyemaginetech.com

Justin's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/justinstayrook/ 

Book: The Four Agreements by Don Miguel Ruiz

Website: bankmarketingshow.com

Sign up for our newsletter: bankmarketingminute.com

Contact Chris and Dan: contact@bankmarketingshow.com 

 

Ep 109 - Go Niche or Go Home How Community Banks Win by Serving the Overlooked13 Apr 202600:36:43

Every bank has checking accounts and loans. Every bank says they care about relationships. So when your marketing sounds like every other bank's marketing, why would anyone switch? They won't. The way to stand out isn't to shout louder — it's to get specific. In this episode, Dan and Chris make the case that narrowing your focus doesn't shrink your opportunity — it expands it. Big banks scale. Community banks specialize. And that specialization is how you show customers that you're different.

In this episode, we cover:

·         Why niching down gets you a bigger piece of a smaller, more loyal pie

·         Finding your niche from where you already have traction

·         Real examples from banks that found a niche hiding in plain sight

·         How specialization unlocks your content, your ads, and your messaging in ways that generic "financial solutions" language never will

·         A simple test for knowing if your message is still too broad, or just right

Resources:

·         The Bank Marketing Show: www.bankmarketingshow.com

·         The Bank Marketing Minute (Newsletter): www.bankmarketingminute.com

·         Contact: contact@bankmarketingshow.com

 

Ep 91 - Autumn Jose – Creating Social Stars for Marketing Success04 Aug 202500:39:40

Can your employees become your most powerful marketing tool?

In this episode, we sit down with Autumn Jose, AVP and Brand Marketing Coordinator of Civista Bank to talk about how she turned a simple idea into a thriving employee advocacy program—and what it takes to grow a brand from the inside out. Autumn shares how she created Civista's "Social Stars" initiative to drive social media engagement for the brand, what worked (and didn't), and how banks of any size can replicate it.

What we cover in this episode:

·       Why traditional marketing no longer cuts it—and what's replaced it

·       The origin story of Civista Bank's "Social Stars" program

·       How to empower employees to become brand ambassadors on social media

·       Tools and processes to keep compliance teams happy

·       The surprising ROI and engagement metrics they've seen

·       Tips for scaling employee advocacy across branch locations

This is a must-listen for anyone looking to grow their bank's social media engagement.

 

Links & Resources:

Autumn's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/autumnjose/

Favorite Book: Be Where Your Feet Are, by Scott O'Neil

https://www.amazon.com/Where-Your-Feet-Are-Principles/dp/1250769876

 

 

Website: bankmarketingshow.com

Sign up for our newsletter: bankmarketingminute.com

Contact Chris and Dan: contact@bankmarketingshow.com

 

Ep 90 - The Power of Connection with Neil Stevens (RERUN Ep 38)21 Jul 202500:48:48

The Power of Connection with Neil Stevens

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.

 

Resources Mentioned:

●     Website: https://www.oconeestatebank.com/

●     The Remarkable Foundation: https://www.oconeestatebank.com/the-remarkable-foundation

●     Make Your Remarkable Podcast: https://www.oconeestatebank.com/business/makeyourremarkable

●     Book: Love Works by Joel Manby: https://www.amazon.com/Love-Works-Timeless-Principles-Effective/dp/0310359740/ref=tmm_hrd_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=1689791648&sr=8-1 

●     Book: Good to Great by Jim Collins https://www.amazon.com/Good-to-Great-Jim-Collins-audiobook/dp/B003VXI5MS

●     Book: The Power of Moments by Chip and Dan Heath https://www.amazon.com/The-Power-of-Moments-audiobook/dp/B074TZFTDG/

●     LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/neil-stevens-8a5b0514/

●     Email: nstevens@oconeestatebank.com

 

 

 

 

 

Ep 89 - AI Starter Kit for Community Bank Marketers07 Jul 202500:46:29

Feeling stuck when it comes to using AI in your bank's marketing? You're not alone. In this episode, Dan and Chris walk through five simple and safe ways to start using Gen AI—without tripping compliance alarms or sacrificing your brand voice.

In this episode, we don't just talk about it—we do it. You'll see real prompts, live demos, and practical tips you can implement today.

-          Drafting Blog Posts - without the blank-page anxiety

-          Creating Social Media Posts – from those blogs

-          Doing Competitor Research – in seconds

-          Using Meeting Transcripts to extract action items, ideas, and plans (so you don't have to take notes)

-          Generating Images – for social media and blog posts, that don't look AI-generated

-          Why prompting skills matter more than ever (and how to build them)

 Links & Resources:

-          Website: https://bankmarketingshow.com

-          Sign up for our newsletter: https://bankmarketingminute.com

-          For a copy of the exact prompts we used in this episode, email us at: contact@bankmarketingshow.com

 

Ep 88 - Skill Building In The Age of AI23 Jun 202500:38:09

In this episode, Dan and Chris explore how AI is reshaping the bank marketing world—
and what marketing professionals need to do to stay ahead. From prompting effectively 
in ChatGPT to building efficient workflows and bringing human insight to the table, this 
episode outlines the skills that will define the next generation of marketing leaders. 
You'll hear how to shift from tactical task execution to strategic input, and how banks 
can stand out in a sea of generic AI content by focusing on what makes them truly 
different.
Key Topics Covered:
 Why AI won't replace marketers—but it will replace generic marketing
 The shift from doing to guiding: what the new marketing role looks like
 How to "prompt like a pro" and avoid generic, average results
 Turning your frontline staff and community events into rich AI inputs
 The power of systems thinking and creating reusable prompt workflows
 How brand voice, customer stories, and strategic judgment remain essential
 The emerging opportunity to differentiate as others automate generically
Resources Mentioned:
 Bank Marketing Show website: https://bankmarketingshow.com
 Subscribe to the Bank Marketing Minute for deeper dives after each episode
 YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@bankmarketingshow
Call to Action:
Want help developing your AI workflows or improving how your team uses tools like 
ChatGPT? Reach out to Dan or Chris through https://bankmarketingshow.com — we're here to help.

Ep 87 - Essential Website Strategy Insights with Brent Feldman09 Jun 202500:46:26

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 dive into why that mindset needs to change—and what a modern bank website should actually do.

Brent Feldman, CEO of Matchbox Design Group, joins us to unpack what makes a website work for banks, how to shift your team's mindset, and the most common traps banks fall into when building or rebuilding their sites.

Topics we cover:

·         Why your website is more important than any physical branch

·         The mindset banks need before starting a web project

·         Common content mistakes (and how to fix them)

·         Why residential lending ≠ mortgages

·         WordPress vs. core CMS platforms

·         Creating a digital branch that actually reflects your brand

Brent Feldman is the CEO of Matchbox Design Group, a website and marketing company focused on banks and credit unions based in St. Louis, Missouri. Brent leads digital strategy initiatives for the organization and is also the host of the Mix & Matchbox Podcast.

Links & Resources:

·         Brent Feldman on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/brentfeldman

·         Matchbox Design Group: https://www.matchboxdesigngroup.com

·         Brent's Podcast: Mix & Matchbox – featuring a banking series - https://matchboxdesigngroup.com/about/mix-matchbox-podcast-digital-marketing/

·         Recommended Book: Smart Brevity by Jim VandeHei, Mike Allen, and Roy Schwartz

Learn more:
Website: bankmarketingshow.com
Sign up for our newsletter: bankmarketingminute.com
Contact Chris and Dan: contact@bankmarketingshow.com

 

Ep 86 - Banking on Knowledge: How Teaching Builds Trust26 May 202500:35:13

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 and education from an institution they already trust. 

In this episode, Dan and Chris unpack the real "why" behind financial education and dive deep into practical ways banks can use it to boost engagement and loyalty.

We discuss:
*Why financial education works better than promotional fluff
*Real-world delivery formats: blogs, workshops, bite-size videos, and more
*How to tailor your content for local relevance (and stand out from national 
competitors)
*The ROI of financial education—even when results take time

Resources mentioned:
- Bankmarketingshow.com
- For more on this topic, check out our newsletter at bankmarketingminute.com
- 90-Day Checklist – email us at contact@bankmarketingshow.com 

Ep 85 - Turning Stories Into Strategy - Humanize Your Brand12 May 202500:31:25

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 keeping spend to a minimum. If your team's struggling with content ideas, this is your playbook.

In this episode, Chris and Dan cover:

  • Why stories beat stock photos every time
  • How to encourage employees to share small, real moments
  • Turning everyday experiences into community trust
  • Mixing personal + professional for maximum impact
  • Campaign ideas that make your bank feel more human
  • How to systematize story collection for social media gold

Links & Resources:
Website: bankmarketingshow.com
Newsletter: bankmarketingminute.com
Contact: contact@bankmarketingshow.com 

Ep 84 - Guerrilla Marketing - High-Impact Engagement & Tactics28 Apr 202500:32:48

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 attention, built goodwill, and drove serious local engagement.

In this episode:

  • What guerrilla marketing is (and why it works for banks)
  • How surprise and delight builds brand loyalty
  • Real examples: food trucks, cookbooks, classroom giveaways & more
  • Ways to turn offline buzz into social media momentum
  • Compliance watch-outs and how to stay inclusive
  • Tips for measuring success and repeating what works

Links & Resources:

 

Ep 83 - The Future of Community Bank Marketing with Caleb Stevens14 Apr 202500:53:44

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:

  • -       The rise of podcasting as a bank marketing tool
  • -       How digital lead gen is changing—and how demand creation is in
  • -       How to use AI in practical, low-risk ways inside your bank
  • -       Caleb's "3Ms framework": Message, Methods, and Metrics
  • -       Real-world examples of alignment between marketing and lending teams that actually drove results
  • -       Why the simplest marketing ideas might be your most powerful

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

 

Ep 82 - Building an Army of Brand Ambassadors31 Mar 202500:35:57

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:

  • -    Why your employees' social media reach outperforms bank official pages
  • -    Creating a culture of brand ambassadorship, not just marketing
  • -    Balancing compliance with creativity in employee posts
  • -    How to run a successful internal workshop to train social media ambassadors
  • -    The secret to making these programs sustainable over time
  • -    Why storytelling (not promotion) should be at the heart of your content

Links & Resources:

-          Website: bankmarketingshow.com

-          Sign up for our LinkedIn newsletter: bankmarketingminute.com

-          Contact Chris and Dan: contact@bankmarketingshow.com

Ep 108 - What Actually Works for a New Location26 Mar 202600:35:00

Opening a new branch is a huge investment — a new build can run into the millions. Most banks do the demographic research, study the traffic patterns, and pick the right spot. But then when it comes to actually marketing the thing? They show up with a grill in the parking lot and call it a grand opening.

In this episode, Dan and Chris break down what a real new-market launch strategy looks like — from competitive analysis before you open the doors, to turning your grand opening into a community event people actually want to attend, to the longer game of establishing your brand in a market where nobody knows you yet.

In this episode, we cover:

  • -          Why your marketing research should go beyond demographics — and what a competitive messaging analysis reveals that HHI data won't –
  • -          The difference between opening a second branch in your market vs. entering a brand new one
  • -          How to turn a grand opening from a bank celebration into a real community event
  • -          What the grand opening marketing timeline should look like

Resources:

-          The Bank Marketing Show: www.bankmarketingshow.com

-          The Bank Marketing Minute (Newsletter): www.bankmarketingminute.com

-          Contact: contact@bankmarketingshow.com 

Ep 81 - Traits of a Successful Marketing Director17 Mar 202500:26:42

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:

  • ·         Building Trust and Resonating with Customers
  • ·         Staying Informed and Competitive
  • ·         Avoiding Pitfalls and Aligning with Bank Goals
  • ·         Attending Industry Conferences and Seeking Diverse Inspirations
  • ·         Budget Management and Strategic Planning
  • ·         Managing Internal Relationships

Resources Mentioned:

 

 

Ep 80 - Marketing in a Cookieless Future with Hollie Brown03 Mar 202500:51:35

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: 

  • What can we do about a cookieless future
  • Why older generations are less likely to accept cookies and information
  • How to collect more information from your website visitors
  • A comparison between Fintech companies and community banks
  • How a cookieless future will affect the marketing landscape 

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:

Ep 79 - How Much Should You Spend on Marketing17 Feb 202500:32:28

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: 

  • Marketing Budgeting Insights
  • Digital vs Traditional Marketing
  • Effective Digital Ad & Direct Mail Strategies
  • The Evolving Role of Bank Marketers

Resources Mentioned:

Ep 78 - Good Marketing Starts With Culture03 Feb 202500:29:46

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: 

  • The Importance of Culture in Marketing
  • Connecting Culture with Modern Marketing
  • Key Points and Case Studies
  • Leadership's Role in Marketing
  • Genuine Marketing Strategies
  • Real-World Examples and Best Practices
  • Engaging Your Community
  • Final Thoughts and Invitation to Connect

Resources Mentioned: 

Ep 77 The Essentials and Benefits of Brand Messaging with Erin Fults20 Jan 202500:47:28

With over 5,000 community banks and credit unions in the US, your brand is the only thing that differentiates you in your community and online.  "Brand messaging" is the collection of words, imagery, and stories that you use to explain the value your community bank brings to customers. It's not enough to say that your bank is "better" at something than others—better is unclear and doesn't help you stand out. Instead, your brand message should answer important questions: What makes your bank different? What problems do you solve that other banks don't? A strong brand message helps you connect with your audience and clearly show why they should choose you.

In this episode, Chris Bates, Dan Novalis, and Erin Fults discuss community banks' challenges when building a brand message as a team. Your message isn't just about telling customers what you do—it's about inviting them into a story they want to be part of. Erin talks about the seven key points that help you create a unique and powerful message and how those points can make a big difference to your bank over time.

By the end of this episode, you'll see how a strong brand message can help your community bank stand out in the competitive market.

Topics Include: 

●     Why brand messaging is important for community financial institutions

●     The challenge in crafting a brand message as a community banking team

●     The process of crafting a brand message

●     How to use the seven key messaging points to create unique, compelling brand messages

●     The benefit of having an external brand messaging expert

●     The current challenges facing community banks

About Erin Fults

Erin Fults is a messaging strategist and communications coach. She helps companies develop a clear way to articulate the value they deliver in the marketplace, align their team around that message, and then coach them to implement it in their marketing and sales to attract and close more of the right customers. 

Erin's background includes over 15 years of experience as a small business owner, where she earned her "street MBA" along with certifications as a StoryBrand Certified Guide and They Ask You Answer Coach. A teacher at heart, she also speaks and facilitates workshops nationwide.

She and her husband have three children and live in central Mississippi.

Resources Mentioned:

 

Ep 76 - The Power of Local - Banking in the Community06 Jan 202500:33:29

Chris and Dan discuss strategies for community banks to enhance their local marketing efforts. They emphasize the importance of connecting digital and brand initiatives with local engagement to build trust and visibility.

This episode provides a checklist for banks to leverage local strategies, use digital tools, and measure ROI effectively. Chris and Dan also discuss the benefits of outsourcing technical marketing tasks to focus more on community involvement while providing practical tips and best practices for amplifying local campaigns.

Topics Include: 

  • Importance of Local Community Involvement
  • Building Trust and Visibility in Your Community
  • Intentional Community Engagement Strategies
  • Showcasing Community Involvement on Social Media
  • Aligning Local Strategy with Overall Branding
  • Using Digital Tools to Amplify Local Campaigns
  • Learning from Other Banks' Best Practices
  • Measuring ROI from Community Engagement

Resources Mentioned:

Ep 75 - Personalized Banking - Driving Engagement in a Digital World23 Dec 202400:42:09

Chris and Dan continue the three-part series by exploring the impact of digital marketing on community banks. Building on the previous episode's discussion on branding, they both dive into digital personalization, emphasizing the importance of creating tailored customer experiences and engaging through multiple digital channels. 

This episode offers practical advice on segmentation, automation, the balance between digital strategies and human touch, and the significance of consistency and metrics in tracking success and optimizing marketing efforts. Filled with actionable insights and examples, this episode is a must-listen for any community bank looking to bolster its digital presence while maintaining its personalized service edge.

Topics Include: 

  • Diving into Digital Marketing
  • Personalization in Digital Marketing
  • Human Touch in Digital Marketing
  • Segmentation and Micro-Segmentation
  • Automation in Digital Marketing
  • Consistency Across Channels
  • Privacy Concerns in Digital Marketing
  • Tracking Success and Metrics

Resources Mentioned:

 

Ep 74 - Building a Bank's Brand That Lasts09 Dec 202400:45:06

In this episode of the Bank Marketing Show, hosts Chris and Dan embark on a deep dive into the critical aspects of brand strategy for banks. They explore the importance of distinguishing between brand and marketing strategies, emphasizing the need for consistent brand presentation and leveraging customer stories to build trust. The discussion includes insights on maintaining 'always-on' awareness campaigns, utilizing visual elements to shape customer perceptions, and differentiating in a competitive market.

Chris and Dan also address the challenge of tracking brand success and the importance of commitment to long-term brand building. This episode is the first of a three-part series that will continue to explore vital topics for financial services marketing professionals. 

Topics Include:  

  • Brand strategy framework
  • Importance of consistency in branding
  • Leveraging customer stories
  • Always-on awareness campaigns
  • Elements of brand shaping perception
  • Differentiating your brand
  • Tracking brand success 

Resources Mentioned: 

Ep 73 - The Great Brand Refresh Tale of A Community Bank with Dave Peters and Marty Heger25 Nov 202401:01:51

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.


Topics Include: 

  • The four-step narrative to a rebrand
  • Who do you serve uniquely well
  • Why a community bank's rebrand needs to be an entire staff effort, not just the CEO
  • How to deliver a brand refresh
  • Why you have to schedule/block out time to work on your rebrand


About Marty Heger

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:

Ep 72 - The Latest Essentials In Bank Marketing Compliance with Memrie Fortenberry11 Nov 202400:35:32

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: 

  • Why compliance should always be involved in your marketing strategy
  • Why your marketing needs to be easy for the average customer to understand
  • What regulations community banks are currently focused on
  • The new FDIC compliance rules that are clear, conspicuous, and clear
  • What the recurring regulation problems are
  • What you need to know about third-party vendor management
  • What the future of compliance and regulations looks like

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 107 - Bold with a Purpose - with Rich Jones of BankIn Minnesota11 Mar 202600:51:08

Every bank says they want to stand out. But most don't go beyond tweaking a logo, or updating colors, and continue to rely on the number of years in business to build trust. That's important – but no longer enough to differentiate your bank against the thousands of others with a similar history.  It's time to be bold.

In this episode, Rich Jones, President & CEO of BankIn Minnesota, talks about what it actually looks like to be bold with a purpose — starting with culture, not a color palette. Rich talks about the association's approach to rebranding, and the lessons banks can learn from it. We discuss how the association's rebrand wasn't a marketing exercise — it was the result of a deeper conversation about who they are, who they serve, and what they actually stand for. And that's the lesson for every community bank thinking about brand: the boldness has to come from something real, or it doesn't land.

In this episode, we cover:

·         Why being bold for the sake of being bold doesn't work, and what "bold with a purpose" actually means

·         How BankIn Minnesota's rebrand grew out of culture, not a creative brief

·         The difference between authority-first and relatability-first messaging

·         Why your people are your real brand differentiator, and how to show it

·         What associations and banks can learn from each other about growth mindset

Resources mentioned:

·         Rich Jones: rich@minnesota.bank

·         BankIn Minnesota: minnesota.bank

·         The Bank Marketing Show: www.bankmarketingshow.com

·         The Bank Marketing Minute (Newsletter): www.bankmarketingminute.com

·         Contact: contact@bankmarketingshow.com

Ep 71 - Essential Social Media Compliance Guidelines with Jill Williams28 Oct 202400:49:04

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: 

  • How social media guidance and compliance has changed over the years
  • What happens when something gets flagged on a community bank's social media
  • How BANK MONITOR tracks a community bank's social media activity and user engagement
  • The extra precautions community banks need to take to protect their customers on social media
  • What regulators look for during a social media compliance audit
  • What it looks like to be both compliant and successful on social media

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:

Ep 70 - Three Key Leadership Facets That We Don't See Enough Of14 Oct 202400:37:37

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:

  • Leadership in Banking
  • The Importance of Transparency
  • Implementing Vision and Leadership
  • Adaptability in Modern Banking
  • Personal Leadership

Resources Mentioned:

 

Ep 69 - 5 Most Common Community Bank Goals30 Sep 202400:37:22

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:

  • Growing deposits
  • Increasing cross-sell
  • Attracting younger customers
  • Deepening your community relationship
  • Growing loan applications

Resources Mentioned:

 

Ep 68 - Working Smarter with the Resources You Have16 Sep 202400:26:45

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

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