Bank Marketing Show

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

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: [email protected] • My Kind of Bank: mykindofbank.com • Website: bankmarketingshow.com • Sign up for our newsletter: bankmarketingminute.com • Contact Chris and Dan: [email protected]

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: [email protected]  

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: [email protected]

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:   Website: bankmarketingshow.com   Sign up for our newsletter: bankmarketingminute.com   Contact Chris and Dan: [email protected] 

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: [email protected]   

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 [email protected] 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: [email protected]

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: [email protected] 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: [email protected]   

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: [email protected]  

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: [email protected]          

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: [email protected]  

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 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: [email protected]  

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 [email protected] 

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: [email protected] 

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: Website: bankmarketingshow.com Sign up for our newsletter: bankmarketingminute.com Contact Chris and Dan: [email protected]  

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: [email protected] -          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: [email protected]  

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: [email protected]

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: ·         [email protected] ·         Bank Marketing Minute Newsletter: bankmarketingminute.com ·         Website: The Bank Marketing Show: bankmarketingshow.com    

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: Episode 58 -  Producing Content that Actually Engages with Hollie Brown Website: https://www.coastalbank.com/  LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/holliejoybrown/  Website: https://bankmarketingshow.com/     [email protected] Bank Marketing Minute Newsletter: bankmarketingminute.com

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: Reference article: https://bankingjournal.aba.com/2025/01/bank-marketing-budget-and-staffing-considerations-for-2025/ [email protected] Bank Marketing Minute Newsletter: bankmarketingminute.com Website: The Bank Marketing Show: bankmarketingshow.com

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:  [email protected] Bank Marketing Minute Newsletter: bankmarketingminute.com Website: The Bank Marketing Show: bankmarketingshow.com

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: [email protected]  LinkedIn: Erin Fults Website: https://theacornteam.com/  [email protected] Bank Marketing Minute Newsletter: bankmarketingminute.com Website: The Bank Marketing Show: bankmarketingshow.com  

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: [email protected] Bank Marketing Minute Newsletter: bankmarketingminute.com Website: The Bank Marketing Show: bankmarketingshow.com

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: [email protected] Bank Marketing Minute Newsletter: bankmarketingminute.com Website: The Bank Marketing Show: bankmarketingshow.com  

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:  [email protected] Bank Marketing Minute Newsletter: bankmarketingminute.com Website: The Bank Marketing Show: bankmarketingshow.com

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: Email Martin Heger: [email protected]  LinkedIn: David Peters  Website: https://bankmarketingshow.com/    

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: [email protected]  Website: https://bankmarketingshow.com/    

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: BANK MONITOR ●     LinkedIn: Jill Williams ●     LinkedIn Group: The Social Media Compliance Collective (Strictly Bankers) Website: https://bankmarketingshow.com/  

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: [email protected] Bank Marketing Minute Newsletter: bankmarketingminute.com Website: The Bank Marketing Show: bankmarketingshow.com  

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: [email protected] Bank Marketing Minute Newsletter: bankmarketingminute.com Website: The Bank Marketing Show: bankmarketingshow.com  

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: -       [email protected] -       Bank Marketing Minute Newsletter: bankmarketingminute.com -       Website: The Bank Marketing Show: bankmarketingshow.com

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: -       [email protected] -       Go deeper on content: Hollie Brown Episode 58 -       Bank Marketing Minute Newsletter: bankmarketingminute.com -       Website: The Bank Marketing Show: bankmarketingshow.com

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: Why data-driven marketing is the future How segmented marketing can help drive your campaigns How to use data to acquire new customers How data lets you know your customers and their needs better How to start a data-driven marketing campaign 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: Bank Marketing Minute Newsletter: bankmarketingminute.com Website: The Bank Marketing Show: bankmarketingshow.com LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/riaiyengar/ Email: [email protected] For a free guide to creating your brand voice, email: [email protected] with Subject Line "Brand Voice"  

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: [email protected] with Subject Line "Brand Voice"

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: ●     Presentation Deck ●     LinkedIn: Ben Udell ●     Website: Robotsarepeople.net ●     Website: https://bankmarketingshow.com/   

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: Gain a competitive edge in bank marketing with innovative strategies. Create a unique bank brand that stands out in the crowded market. Engage customers for valuable feedback to enhance service and offerings. Implement effective strategies to attract potential bank customers. Identify and address weaknesses in your bank marketing approach for improved results. Resources Mentioned: [email protected] Bank Marketing Minute Newsletter: bankmarketingminute.com Website: The Bank Marketing Show: bankmarketingshow.com

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:  Why there has been a change in buying behaviors and patterns What the upcoming marketing areas, trends, and activities are How the right partnership can add value to your community bank How community banks can refresh their brands to add more value What the future of AI looks like for community banks Where the banking environment is moving into and evolving short- and long-term Chris Moya is the President and CEO of the Independent Community Bankers Association of New Mexico (ICBA/NM). He assumed his role in January 2022 and brings a wealth of experience and leadership to the organization, having previously held the position of Executive Vice President. 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: Email: [email protected] Website: https://www.icbanm.org/  Website: https://bankmarketingshow.com/   

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: Explore the game-changing AI trends shaping the future of banking in Uncover innovative bank marketing strategies designed for the digital age to stay ahead of the competition. Discover the power of AI integration in revolutionizing financial services for enhanced efficiency and customer experience. Navigate the complex landscape of regulatory challenges for AI in banking and find solutions to ensure compliance. Gain insights into interest rate trends and how they impact bank marketing strategies for sustainable growth. Resources Mentioned: We'd love to hear about your team's structure, and what works and doesn't: email [email protected] Bank Marketing Minute Newsletter: bankmarketingminute.com Website: The Bank Marketing Show: bankmarketingshow.com

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 [email protected] -       Bank Marketing Minute Newsletter: bankmarketingminute.com -       Website: The Bank Marketing Show: bankmarketingshow.com

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: Mastering Bank Marketing Video Content: Unlock the secrets to creating captivating video content that resonates with your audience and sets your bank apart from the competition. Harness the Power of Video for Bank Marketing: Discover the pivotal role that video plays in modern bank marketing and how it can elevate your brand's visibility and engagement. Crafting Engaging Bank Videos: Unleash the art of crafting compelling bank videos that captivate and connect with your customers on a deeper level, fostering lasting relationships. Unlocking the Benefits of Video Marketing: Explore the multitude of benefits that video marketing offers for banks, from increased brand awareness to enhanced customer loyalty. Leveraging YouTube for Bank Marketing Success: Learn how to effectively utilize YouTube as a powerful platform for bank marketing, reaching and engaging a wider audience with your compelling video content. Resources Mentioned: We'd love to hear your stories!  Email them to [email protected] Bank Marketing Minute Newsletter: bankmarketingminute.com Website: The Bank Marketing Show: bankmarketingshow.com 2novas.com/video

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/             

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/     

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: [email protected] ●     Website: bankmarketingshow.com   

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: [email protected] ●     Email Chris and Dan: [email protected] ●     Get Chris and Dan's Bank Marketing Minute e-newsletter: bankmarketingminute.com  

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 [email protected] -       Bank Marketing Minute Newsletter: bankmarketingminute.com -       Website: The Bank Marketing Show: bankmarketingshow.com  

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 [email protected] -       Bank Marketing Minute Newsletter: bankmarketingminute.com -       Website: The Bank Marketing Show: bankmarketingshow.com  

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 [email protected] -       Bank Marketing Minute Newsletter: bankmarketingminute.com -       Website: The Bank Marketing Show: bankmarketingshow.com

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: -       Discover the impact of modernizing your bank's brand for growth and success. -       How to approach refreshing your visual branding to attract younger customers without alienating existing ones. -       Implement incremental changes to propel your community bank into the modern era. -       Elevate your community bank's digital presence. Resources Mentioned: -       We'd love to hear your stories!  Email them to [email protected] -       Bank Marketing Minute Newsletter: bankmarketingminute.com -       Website: The Bank Marketing Show: bankmarketingshow.com

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/