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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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Pub. DateTitleDuration
12 Dec 2022Ep 22 - The Power of Personal Branding for Career Growth00:52:31

You can’t out-bank your competition, which is why focusing on building relationships is so essential. Social media creates an incredible opportunity to foster relationships online, especially when you post engaging content that’s authentic and personal. There’s a power of personal branding that community bankers can benefit from.

In this episode, Dan Novalis, Chris Bates, and Eric Cook discuss why bankers should care about building a personal brand. They also discuss the value of personal relationships as a banker, examples of engaging content you could post, and what The LinkedBanker community is all about.

Topics Include:

  • The value of personal relationships as a banker
  • An introduction to The LinkedBanker community
  • Why you should care about building your personal brand
  • The difference between engaging personal content and TMI
  • And other topics...

Eric Cook spent 15 years as a community banker before making the shift to a digital strategist in 2007. Eric is an award-winning agency owner with WSI Digital, author, speaker, educator, and most recently, founder of TheLinkedBanker.com – a mentoring and mastermind community focused on serving banking professionals build their personal brand online.

Resources Mentioned:

  • The Linked Banker:

The LinkedBanker - A mastermind and mentoring community for banking industry professionals

14 Oct 2024Ep 70 - Three Key Leadership Facets That We Don't See Enough Of00:37:37

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:

 

25 Nov 2024Ep 73 - The Great Brand Refresh Tale of A Community Bank with Dave Peters and Marty Heger01:01:51

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:

21 Aug 2023Ep 40 - What is Work-Life Integration?00:27:28

The concept of “work-life balance” has been around for years – but we think it’s time to reframe it and recognize that work and life are not separate, not something to keep in balance.  Rather, the focus should be on integrating the two so you – and your team – can find greater fulfillment in both.

In this episode, Chris and Dan explore work-life integration and how you, as a bank leader, can foster a culture that leads to personal and professional fulfillment for everyone in the bank.  We discuss practical strategies for achieving work-life integration, including the importance of self-care and intentional scheduling. For your team, we emphasize the changing expectations of younger generations, who prioritize flexibility and the ability to manage their personal lives while still being productive at work.

In this episode, we talk about:

  • -       The undeniable importance of work-life integration as the “return to the office” continues
  • -       The mindset of younger generations in their quest for work-life integration and adaptability
  • -       A methodology for setting limits for effective work-life integration
  • -       The potential of work-life integration to trigger unprecedented levels of productivity and personal enrichment 

Resources Mentioned:

-       Bank Marketing Minute Newsletter: bankmarketingminute.com

-       Website: The Bank Marketing Show: bankmarketingshow.com

 

27 Nov 2023Ep 47 - Burnout to Success - Designs for Personal and Work Life00:41:05

We’re taking a little step back from bank marketing in this episode to talk about a topic that can make us all more successful, professionally and personally: self-care. Chris and Dan get personal and share their own burnout stories, and how those experiences made them realize the importance of “putting your own oxygen mask on first”. We then discuss the challenges of feeling constantly busy and overwhelmed, and the negative impact it can have on marketing and business opportunities.

 

Focusing on self-care isn’t selfish – it can actually make you more present in your job and family life.  When we’re busy, we often don’t stop to think about it – but that’s the time when we need to focus on self-care more. Listen in for more valuable insights and actionable strategies.

 

In this episode:

-          Learn why putting your own mask on first – prioritizing your own needs - can actually make you more present in work and life.

-          Hear how Chris and Dan have struggled with burnout in the past, and the strategies they’ve used to avoid it since.

-          Achieve a harmonious balance between your personal life and your career.

-          Experience the transformative impact of self-care on your overall well-being and success.

 

Resources Mentioned:

-       We’d love to hear your stories!  Email them to contact@bankmarketingshow.com

-       Bank Marketing Minute Newsletter: bankmarketingminute.com

-       Website: The Bank Marketing Show: bankmarketingshow.com

25 Jul 2022Ep 12 - An Industry Leader’s Outlook On Current Trends00:49:22

Community banks are, essentially, small businesses whose product is money. As the economy continues to change and digitize at an ever-faster pace, it’s even more important to market your products, even if that product is just money.

In this episode, Dan and Chris chat with John McNair, President of the Community Bankers Association of Georgia, about the marketing options available to community banks and how small banks can best target their community customers. They also talk about the importance of embracing technology as a small bank.

Topics Include:

  • Why a rising rate environment is good for banks
  • How long it takes a bank to make a dollar
  • What’s happening to the efficiency ratio
  • What technology trends benefit banks
  • What technology trends pose a barrier to entry for banks
  • Why banks need to do a better job of branding and marketing
  • Why rural banks feel more pressure to market their products
  • And other topics…

Guest bio:

John joined the Community Bankers Association of Georgia in October 2018 after a 14-year career with the Independent Community Bankers of America (ICBA). He started his career with ICBA in September 2004 as a regional calling officer. John’s charge was to personally engage with community bankers throughout the greater Northeast region. His mission was (and still is) simple: help community banks flourish by introducing business and educational services commensurate with the needs of each community bank. Additionally, John engaged community bankers in the government and regulatory relations process via grassroots advocacy.

Because of this philosophy and overall success, John was promoted to Executive Vice President in 2016. He was selected to take over leadership of all member relations for ICBA and implement his philosophy, vision, and execution strategies.

John graduated from The University of Delaware with a B.A. in Economics. He also holds a Master’s degree in Human Resources Management from Wilmington (DE) University. Prior to ICBA, John worked for a variety of firms serving the community banking industry. He and his wife, Lisa, also owned a small business serving community banks and their small business customers. John serves on the Board of Regents of the Paul W. Barret School of Banking.

John has been married for over 30 years to his college sweetheart, Lisa (Cimino) McNair. Lisa holds a B.S. in Accounting, an MBA, and is a Certified Public Accountant (PA license). Their daughter, Lauren, is a graduate of the University of Georgia and holds a B.B.A. in Finance.

John & CBA of GA have been working with Chris’s agency, Agora Eversole, for several years in a mutually beneficial relationship with AE as a Preferred Service Provider member, and AE handling the email marketing for CBA of GA.

Lightning Round:

Personal Best: Having a healthy, happy family

Business Best: Turning CBA around

Favorite Book: Zen in the Martial Arts by Joe Hyams

Most Impactful Advice Received: if you want to do well, you’ll do the jobs the others don’t want to do

Advice for Team: We all have goals and objectives, but don’t think about your number. Instead, put the customer’s needs first. Don’t put square pegs in round holes. Always think of what’s important to your customer, not how you’re going to win a sale. If they win, you will win.

Resources Mentioned:

 

13 May 2024Ep 59 - Using Video to Grow Brand Engagement00:33:40

In this episode, we dive into the importance of incorporating video into bank marketing strategies. We highlight the power of storytelling through video content and how it can create a more engaging experience for your audience. We stress the significance of differentiating from competitors and embracing the evolving trends of video content on social media.

Listen to us share practical advice, like evaluating competitors' strategies, and provide tangible examples to showcase the impact of video content. We offer valuable insights for banks aiming to enhance their marketing strategies with video content. You'll gain a deeper understanding of the significance of strategic video use and how it can help your bank stand out in the market. Plus, you'll pick up actionable tactics and examples that can guide you in incorporating video into your bank's marketing efforts.

In this episode:

  • 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:

03 Oct 2022Ep 17 - Case Study: Increasing Loans at a $300M Bank00:35:35

When your bank plans for your next marketing campaign well, there is a much greater chance of success. From knowing your budget and timeframe right from the start to being in touch with your target audience, it’s important to pre-plan your digital marketing campaign. Banks also need to understand that to make money, they need to spend money on marketing – and with more and more people using social media, a digital marketing campaign is essential.

In this episode, Dan Novalis and Chris Bates discuss the best practices for building a bank marketing campaign. They use a real-life case study of a bank that wanted to increase its scope of first-time home buyers. We also discuss why a marketing plan needs to be central to your business plans and campaigns, not an afterthought, and how to better convey your brand messaging, rather than generic statements any bank could use.

Topics Include:

  • Plan well in advance from a campaign standpoint
  • Strategic planning includes your timeframe, marketing budget, and brand message
  • Banks need to spend money to make money
  • Why marketing needs to form a central role in your business plan
  • Digital campaigns support offline marketing
  • How to better convey your brand messaging
  • What happens during a campaign planning process
  • Why your bank team needs to be ready to field customer calls from your digital marketing campaign
  • The role of social media in your marketing campaign
  • The potential results of a 2-month campaign
  • What kind of marketing budget smaller banks need

Resources mentioned:

 

02 May 2022Ep 06 - Weaving Your Values & Purpose Into Your Work with Chris Kellum00:46:07

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:

 

17 Mar 2025Ep 81 - Traits of a Successful Marketing Director00:26:42

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:

 

 

08 Aug 2022Ep 13 - Create Content that Speaks to Your Target Audiences00:50:37

Consistent content marketing is the best way to connect with and understand your target audience – rather than getting left behind with outdated customer relationships and practices. Community banks – even small institutions – can embrace content marketing to compete with larger banks.

In this episode, Dan Novalis, Chris Bates, and Shondell Varcianna discuss the importance of content marketing for banks. Shondell explains why banks must tailor their content to engage their customers on the subjects that matter to them. Most importantly, Shondell shares how banks can and should utilize social media to build relationships with their clients.

Topics Include:

  • How content can help drive your relationship with your customers
  • How often to produce content for your financial institution
  • How to utilize social media, especially Facebook groups, to connect with your target audience
  • How to tailor your content for different audiences
  • What content looks like for a smaller financial institution vs a larger one
  • Why you need to just start creating content

Shondell Varcianna is the owner of Varci Media in Atlanta, GA. Varci Media is a content writing company that helps financial institutions save time by writing content that speaks to their target audience. Shondell and her team have transformed their client’s blogs and content into solution systems and providers for their customers.

Resources Mentioned:

 

09 Jan 2023Ep 24 - Hot Topics for 202300:28:56

As we wrap up 2022 and look forward to 2023, many banks and businesses are fearful of impending recession, rising rates, and more – and may be discussing pulling back budgets or operating more cautiously. Instead of backing away, this could be your opportunity to keep going and run past your competition.

In this episode, Dan Novalis and Chris Bates discuss what to expect in 2023, inflation and rising rates, and digital trends in 2023 and beyond. They also discuss how TikTok and video have taken over social media and how financial institutions can use social media to connect with customers.

Topics Include:

  • What to expect in 2023
  • Will rates continue to rise?
  • Trends in digital ads in 2023 and beyond
  • How TikTok is taking over social media
  • Why you should focus on customer engagement
  • And other topics...

Resources Mentioned:

 

28 Oct 2024Ep 71 - Essential Social Media Compliance Guidelines with Jill Williams00:49:04

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:

09 Dec 2024Ep 74 - Building a Bank's Brand That Lasts00:45:06

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: 

29 Apr 2024Ep 58 - Producing Content that Actually Engages with Hollie Brown00:40:00

Content marketing is an oft-misunderstood thing – most banks just produce blog posts about financial topics, and sometimes collect them into a periodic newsletter.  But are you really adding value to your customers with a blog post on “the difference between fixed and ARM mortgages”, when there are literally hundreds of similar blogs already online?

In this episode, Chris and Dan chat with Hollie Brown, VP of Marketing for Coastal Community Bank.  Hollie leverages her journalism background and the bank’s network to create regular, expert-driven content for her customers. That content “engine” has even led to a system that drives email signups, and a busy calendar of in-person events – truly creating a community where customers can learn more about the bank, network with other similar customers and small businesses, and learn from experts.  And most importantly – this system actually converts readers and attendees to real customers.

Topics Include:

     How content marketing and digital marketing work together

     How producing regular content is a resourceful task for local banks

     How banks can leverage a content strategy to create face-to-face community events

     How to determine if your content audience becomes customers

     Why it’s important to involve your internal team in your content strategy

Hollie Brown is Vice President of Marketing for Coastal Community Bank. Coastal provides personal and business banking services for Puget Sound, WA customers, and Banking as a Service (BaaS) for fintech partners. At Coastal, Hollie leads marketing strategy, brand and corporation communication, public relations, and digital marketing.

Hollie earned a BA in Journalism from Western Washington University, an Executive Development Professional certificate from the Washington Bankers Association, a certificate in Bank Marketing from the American Bankers Association, and she is a Certified Financial Management Professional from the American Bankers Association. She is currently enrolled in Pacific Coast Banking School.

Before joining Coastal, she was the Regional Marketing Manager for Moss Adams LLP in Seattle and the Vice President and Director of Marketing for Peoples Bank in Bellingham, WA.

Resources Mentioned:

     Website: https://www.coastalbank.com/

     LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/holliejoybrown/

     Website: https://bankmarketingshow.com/   

 

 

 

 

 

17 Feb 2025Ep 79 - How Much Should You Spend on Marketing00:32:28

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:

06 Mar 2023Ep 28 - Finding The Right Partnerships and Using Your Superpower00:49:38

Choosing the right digital marketing agency for your bank can be a make or break decision – but can also be one of the best decisions you make. It’s tough for many banks to decide to bring in an external vendor, but often vendors bring expertise and perspective that don’t exist within the bank (and are very hard to hire for!). But, to do it right, you need to ask questions, dig deep,and get really clear on what problem you need to solve – and why hiring an agency to solve it is the best way.

In this episode, we interview Brent Weaver, CEO of UGurus, a digital agency training and education company.  We get Brent’s perspective on how banks should approach hiring and working with digital agencies to run successful campaigns and increase revenue.

Topics Include:

  • How to find the right digital marketing agency partner for your bank
  • Why banks need to provide context and expectations to the agencies they work with
  • How much money should banks spend on SEO (search engine optimization)
  • Why every campaign doesn’t need to be successful

Brent Weaver is on a mission to help 10,000 digital agency owners achieve freedom in business and life by helping them own their market. Brent is the founder and CEO of UGURUS, a business training and education company dedicated to this mission. He also hosts one of the leading podcasts in the business niche—The Digital Agency Show.

Brent is in partnership with UnlimitedWP—a scalable white-label WordPress development team to help digital agencies grow without all the headaches of hiring and managing people. He is also a Brand Ambassador for Cloudways, a WordPress hosting company, helping them evangelize their platform.

Resources Mentioned:

22 Jan 2024Ep 51 - MAJOR MARKETING CHALLENGE SERIES - #1 - Modernizing Your Bank00:41:51

We’re kicking off a new set of episodes called the Major Marketing Challenge Series – covering solutions to the big picture challenges that we see most commonly in our work with community banks and credit unions across the country.

In this episode, we tackle Modernization: why it’s important, the challenges banks face in pursuing it, and practical solutions and case studies from our work. Modernization isn’t easy, but when community banks revamp their visual branding, embrace digital platforms, and leverage data utilization, they can more effectively appeal to younger audiences and stay competitive.

Listen in for actionable strategies and expert advice on modernizing your bank to attract younger customers and stay ahead of the curve.

In this episode:

  • -       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 contact@bankmarketingshow.com

-       Bank Marketing Minute Newsletter: bankmarketingminute.com

-       Website: The Bank Marketing Show: bankmarketingshow.com

05 Apr 2022Ep 04 - Community as your Marketing Superpower with Shannon Aker - Bank of Brookhaven President00:36:02
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:

22 Jul 2024Ep 64 - Supercharging Financial Marketing Content with ChatGPT with Ben Udell01:05:10

Generative AI, like ChatGPT, can be a helpful tool alongside what you already use at your community bank. But many banks don’t know where to start, or are worried about compliance issues from using it. Banks need to think about how they talk to AI, the rules that guide its use, and what role it plays in their teams.

In this episode, Chris and Dan interview Ben Udell, SVP of Digital Innovation at Lake Ridge Bank, about how he uses Gen AI at his bank and teaches other banks how to get the most out of it.

Topics Include: 

     The regulatory and compliance landscape around Gen AI

     How treating Gen AI as a team member, not a replacement, changes how you use it (for the better)

     Creating better prompts for more useful output

     The right way to train ChatGPT on your brand voice

With more than 25 years of financial expertise, Ben Udell, SVP Digital Innovation, is the driving force behind "future proofing" Lake Ridge Bank, a $2.9B community bank in Wisconsin. As a leader in digital innovation, he enjoys working where technology, marketing, and data analytics intersect with consumer financial needs. 

He’s a leading banking expert in leveraging practical applications of generative AI and is never afraid to be disruptive went it allows him to find innovative ways to improve the client and associate experience. Recently named one of Bank Beat’s “Rising Starts in Banking”, Ben’s been helping train and consult with other bankers to help them see how AI can transform their organization. 

In his free time, he creates content for robotsarepeople.net, an AI and technology focused site, speaks on digital transformation, and writes about the financial industry.”

Resources Mentioned:

     Presentation Deck

     LinkedIn: Ben Udell

     Website: Robotsarepeople.net

     Website: https://bankmarketingshow.com/   

29 May 2023Ep 34 - Networking: The Power of Community for Your Career and Bank00:29:59

Ep 34 – Networking: The Power of Community for Your Career and Bank

It’s a thing that some people live for, and others shy away from.  But the benefits of networking – for introverts and extroverts alike! - go beyond getting your bank noticed or advancing in your career. We all know it, but fostering genuine relationships leads to increased knowledge, growth, and opportunities. Furthermore, connecting with others can bring forth valuable insights from different sectors, pain points, and successes, leveling up the innovation in your own work.

In the episode, Chris Bates and Dan Novalis highlight the importance of engaging with various sectors in the C-suite and competitors to stay on top of emerging trends. Networking is frequently talked about – the goal is not to make you the world’s best networker, but rather to bring some motivation to your day to meet and chat with new people.

Topics Include:

  • -       Comprehending the vital role that networking plays in career success, especially in banking
  • -       The advantages of broadening your knowledge base through conferences, social media, and other outlets.
  • -       The importance of engaging with relevant parties to stay updated on the latest industry shifts and evolutions.
  • -       Realizing the necessity of continuous networking efforts both within an organization and across the financial landscape.
  • -       Become familiar with the recently launched resource, Bank Marketing Minute, for staying current in the banking sector. 

Resources Mentioned:

-       Bank Marketing Minute Newsletter

-       Website: The Bank Marketing Show

-       Email: contact@bankmarketingshow.com

 

14 Apr 2025Ep 83 - The Future of Community Bank Marketing with Caleb Stevens00:53:44

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

 

23 Dec 2024Ep 75 - Personalized Banking - Driving Engagement in a Digital World00:42:09

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:

 

08 Jan 2024Ep 50 - Connecting with Millennials and Gen Z with Dr. Brett Andrews00:50:23

Almost all community banks today struggle with attracting younger people to replace deposits that leave due to an aging customer base. Countless articles, keynote speeches, and podcasts have been devoted to learning how to connect with Millennials and Gen Z. In this episode, we interview Dr. Brett Andrews, Dean of the Business School at Belhaven University in Jackson, Mississippi.  Dr. Andrews has been teaching business school students for over 20 years – watching as trends, fears, goals, and challenges have developed across these generational lines.

Learning to better connect with younger generations can not only benefit your marketing’s performance, but your staffing and employee retention as well.  We chat with Dr. Andrews about how each generation builds trust differently with community banks – it’s not just about your long-standing history anymore – and ways you can build trust through your marketing and recruiting practices. 

Topics Include: 

     How to address the current hiring hurdles community banks face

     How bank leaders can attract these generations into their workforce

     What to expect from a Generation Z workforce

     How to provide feedback to younger generations

     The best advice for hiring Millennials and Generation Z

Brett Andrews is an accomplished academic leader with over 20 years of experience developing and growing academic programs at multiple universities. He has launched over 39 new programs across all levels, led strategic planning efforts, overseen accreditations, and secured major gifts for capital campaigns. 

Andrews has held senior leadership roles such as Dean, Executive Vice President, and CIO. He is an experienced online program developer who has established the infrastructure and processes for launching successful online offerings. Dr. Andrews has a track record of increasing enrollment, revenue, and profitability through data-driven innovation. 

He holds an MBA and Ph.D. in Applied Management and Decision Science and has an extensive record of research publications and presentations. He is the Dean of the School of Business at Belhaven University in Jackson, MS.

Resources Mentioned:

     Website: Dean at Belhaven University https://www.belhaven.edu/about/contact/faculty/andrews-brett.html

     LinkedIn: Brett Andrews https://www.linkedin.com/in/brett-andrews-4259235/

 

 

13 Jun 2022Ep 09 - Planning, Positioning, and Offers - How to Avoid the Race to the Bottom00:42:02

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:

14 Mar 2022Ep 01 - Meet Dan Novalis & Chris Bates00:21:56
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:

03 Mar 2025Ep 80 - Marketing in a Cookieless Future with Hollie Brown00:51:35

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:

05 Feb 2024Ep 52 - MAJOR MARKETING CHALLENGE SERIES #2 - Avoid Reactive Marketing00:36:11

We’re kicking off the second episode of the Major Marketing Challenge Series – covering the unexpected power of proactive marketing in banking.

In this episode, we dive into the challenges of proactive versus reactive marketing in the banking industry. We emphasize the importance of aligning marketing efforts with the strategic goals of the bank to achieve better results and justify marketing spend.

Our conversation highlights the significance of strategic planning, setting a shared vision, and the need for cohesive leadership and marketing direction. We stress the benefits of having a comprehensive strategic plan, aligning marketing with the bank's strategy, and investing in creative work to achieve successful bank marketing. This episode offers valuable insights on moving from a reactive to a proactive approach, planning in advance, and ensuring consistent brand messaging.

We have passion for sharing insights and helping professionals in the industry, making it a must-listen for banking professionals responsible for marketing strategies. By implementing the learnings from this episode, you can lead your bank's marketing efforts more effectively, positioning it as the best choice in your market.

In this episode:

-       Maximize proactive marketing to outperform competitors.

-       Elevate strategic planning for impactful bank marketing.

-       Achieve alignment between marketing and strategic goals.

-       Foster a shared vision for a unified company culture.

-       Utilize planning for effective, targeted marketing campaigns.

Resources Mentioned:

-       We’d love to hear your stories!  Email them to contact@bankmarketingshow.com

-       Bank Marketing Minute Newsletter: bankmarketingminute.com

-       Website: The Bank Marketing Show: bankmarketingshow.com

16 Sep 2024Ep 68 - Working Smarter with the Resources You Have00:26:45

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

26 Jun 2023Ep 36 - Avoiding Quick-Win Marketing00:31:13

Ep 36 - Avoiding Quick-Win Marketing 

To differentiate your community bank from competitors, it's important to identify your "special sauce" or unique strength that attracts your target audience. By concentrating on a couple of key areas and excelling in them, your customers will be happier and more likely to recommend your services to others. 

In this episode, Chris Bates and Dan Novalis talk about the importance of deliberate discovery sessions to answer important questions about your bank's identity and goals, ultimately guiding your marketing efforts in the right direction.

It's crucial to focus on the relationships you build with your community and customers to reinforce not only your brand's identity, but also your place within the community.  

Topics include:

-       How a magnetic brand fosters trust and loyalty.

-       Identifying brand differentiators that give you a competitive edge.

-       How to focus efforts toward core customer segments, maximizing your impact in the market.

-       Streamlining internal brand messaging for efficient bank management and motivated staff.  

Resources Mentioned:

-       Bank Marketing Minute Newsletter: bankmarketingminute.com

-       Website: The Bank Marketing Show: bankmarketingshow.com

-       Email: contact@bankmarketingshow.com

 

10 Jul 2023Ep 37 - The Secret Sauce of Recruitment with Allison McCutcheon Barcz00:44:16

Ep 37 - The Secret Sauce of Recruitment

Job seekers’ attitudes have shifted dramatically over the last few years – forcing changes to the hiring process.  Applicants today have a different view of what they will and won’t accept in the workforce and have an increasing need for purpose in their work. For banks, it’s imperative to stand out to attract new talent, and one of the best ways to do this is by leveraging your bank’s culture and reputation.

In this episode, Dan Novalis, Chris Bates, and Allison McCutcheon Barcz discuss the best ways to attract new talent to your bank. We discuss how to recognize and understand your current company culture and then talk about it with potential employees. And, hear about the biggest pain points both banks and candidates face during the hiring process.

Topics Include: 

  • How hiring has changed over the last several years
  • How banks can attract new talent
  • How to define your company culture
  • The importance of honesty and clarity in the hiring process
  • How Largely helps individuals create connection

Allison McCutcheon Barcz is the Chief People & Strategy Officer at Largely, a video communications platform for HR and Talent teams. Largely is a communications platform tailored for talent. We focus on bringing an authentic and differentiated experience to your talent journeys with features such as video capture and hosting candidate and employee communications and real-time analytics. 

Prior to joining Largely, Allison spent 20+ years in various talent and HR leadership roles, with extensive experience in recruiting and employer branding, most notably at Anheuser-Busch, where she led all talent acquisition for North America.

Resources Mentioned:

01 Apr 2024Ep 56 - The Key Digital Ad Pillars of 2024 with Matthew Wade00:41:11

Digital advertising has never been more important for community banks – it’s one of the easiest ways to make your brand more visible to younger customers, who spend the most time online.  For many banks, digital ads have become a first conversation of sorts, encouraging prospective customers to research the bank more as they make their decisions.

In this episode, Dan and Chris speak with Matthew Wade, President of Exact Marketing, a digital media agency based in Nashville.  We discuss the four pillars of the digital advertising industry: search engine marketing, retargeting customers, contextual targeting, and behavioral targeting. Utilizing each of these pillars is important to building a robust and versatile digital marketing campaign, and to increase market share from competitors.

Topics Include: 

     What the digital advertising industry looks like in 2024

     How digital advertising is a core part of competing effectively in the digital age

     Some digital advertising tips and strategies for community banks to utilize

     How to budget for digital advertising 

Matthew Wade is the President of Exact Marketing, a transformative media agency based in West Tennessee focused on improving how people buy digital advertising.

Matthew spent the first decade of his career in Sports Marketing with USA Today’s Sports Media Group, working with household names like Nike, Ford, Ram, Under Armour, Gatorade, American Family Insurance, and the Army National Guard.

Today, Matthew is focused on leading Exact Marketing to deliver those same Madison Avenue advertising capabilities to Main Street businesses and their agencies.

Resources Mentioned:

     Website: exactmarketing.digital

     Email: mwade@exactmarketing.digital

     Website: bankmarketingshow.com 

 

02 Oct 2023Ep 43 - Google Ads Done Wrong00:50:46

In this episode, we dive into the importance of strategy in Google Ads and digital advertising for community banks. With our expertise and experience working with bank clients, we shares valuable insights on how to make digital advertising campaigns more effective and improve customer engagement. We recall a time when we realized that simply throwing money at Google Ads doesn't guarantee success. Instead, it emphasizes the need for a well-thought-out approach and a clear understanding of the target audience.

We highlight the significance of tracking and measuring the success of ad campaigns, as well as the importance of differentiating your bank from competitors. Listen as we bring to light the challenges faced by banks in the digital advertising landscape and provide practical strategies for achieving better results.

In this episode, we talk about:

  • Boosting the effectiveness of your Google Ads and digital advertising campaigns to reach more customers and drive increased engagement with your community bank.
  • Identifying and differentiate your target audience from your competitors to tailor your messaging and attract the right customers who are more likely to convert.
  • Maximizing your ad spend to increase visibility and brand recognition, ensuring that your community bank stands out in a crowded market.
  • Tailoring your ad messaging to showcase specific products or services offered by your community bank, driving awareness and generating interest among potential customers.
  • How to seek professional help and expertise in bank marketing to ensure that your digital advertising campaigns are implemented effectively and optimized for success.
  • Staying ahead of the competition by developing a strategic approach to Google Ads and digital advertising, taking into account the unique needs and goals of your community bank.
  • Utilizing data and analytics to continuously refine your digital advertising strategies, optimizing your campaigns for better performance and higher customer engagement.
  • Enhancing your customer experience by creating personalized and targeted digital advertising campaigns that speak directly to the needs and interests of your community bank's target audience.
  • Increasing customer loyalty and retention by delivering relevant and engaging digital ad experiences that demonstrate the value and benefits of banking with your community bank.

Resources Mentioned:

01 May 2023Ep 32 - How Banks and Small Businesses Connect Better with Derik Sutton00:44:02

Ep 32 - How Banks And Small Businesses Can Connect Better with Derik Sutton - Chief Marketing Officer at Autobooks

Marketing to small businesses comes down to relationships, proximity, and trust.  Derik Sutton, Chief Marketing Officer for Autobooks, is a small business and bank marketing expert.  Dan and Chris chat with him about the best ways banks can build trust and relationships with their small business customers at every stage of the journey, through educational content marketing, sales and marketing frameworks (including the “Jobs To Be Done” Framework), and more.

Topics Include:

-       How Autobooks became the small business expert

-       Understanding the customer journey from the first thought through building loyalty

-       Using content marketing to move prospects through the funnel

-       Creating educational content for every stage of the customer journey

-       How to use a prospect’s questions to create great content

-       And more...

Derik Sutton is the Chief Marketing Officer for Autobooks (Autobooks.co), leading all financial and small business-facing marketing teams at Autobooks. In this role, he interacts with both sides of the small business banking market—the financial institutions and the small businesses. Being at the epicenter of the small business banking market provides access to unique insights that Derik regularly shares at industry conferences, on podcasts, and through Autobooks-created content.

Resources Mentioned:

-       LinkedIn: Derik Sutton

-       Autobooks: Autobooks.co

-       Autobooks Resources: https://www.autobooks.co/marketing

-       Book: Competing Against Luck by Clayton M. Christensen

-       Book: Demand-Side Sales 101 by Bob Moesta

-       Favorite Book: The Reason for God by Timothy Keller

-       Website: The Bank Marketing Show

-       Email: contact@bankmarketingshow.com

 

18 Apr 2022Ep 05 - Channel & Tactics Mix for Your Marketing00:54:20

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:

 

16 Oct 2023Ep 44 - Differentiating Your Bank Through Team & Mission with Heidi Miget00:43:42

Chris and Dan chat with Heidi Miget, SVP of Marketing for Midwest BankCentre, a nearly $2.7B community bank with 17 branches and 1 loan production office in the St. Louis region. We talk through how her bank has differentiated itself with a laser focus on community and her hybrid (in-house + contractors + agencies) approach to building a marketing team.

Most community bank marketing leans heavily on service and commitment to community – but Midwest BankCentre walks the walk better than almost any community bank out there.  In this episode, we talk about the bank’s approach to analytics, investing in people, and a commitment to community that spans the entire bank, from CEO to teller.  Learn how Heidi and her team use this commitment to differentiate the bank’s marketing, and get inspired for how to apply it at your institution.

Topics Include: 

     The evolution of Heidi’s marketing team from 2 to 9 full-time employees, plus agencies and contractors

     How you can use mission and values to differentiate your bank

     Using analytics to tell a more detailed story and solve problems for your customers.

     How the bank has used a digital video series and marketing campaign to tell a deeply local story that resonates with its community

     What happens when you have a team who is passionate about what they do 

Heidi Miget, SVP of Marketing for Midwest BankCentre, is a seasoned leader in digital marketing with over seventeen years of experience, recognized for her strategic and result-oriented campaigns that maximize marketing investments. She excels in team development, campaign analysis, and project management and has a hands-on approach to staying updated with the latest digital trends. Heidi’s expertise spans diverse industries, including banking, travel, finance, and more, with a keen focus on digital strategy and campaign planning.

Resources Mentioned:

     Website: https://www.midwestbankcentre.com/ 

     Digital Videos: RisingTogetherSeries.com

     Favorite Book: Profit First by Mike Michalowicz https://www.amazon.com/Profit-First-Transform-Cash-Eating-Money-Making/dp/073521414X

     Orv Kimbrough, CEO on LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/orvinkimbrough

     Heidi on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/hmiget/

 

26 Dec 2023Ep 49 - Highlights & Takeaways from 202300:31:16

As we wrap up 2023, we reflect on some of the highlights and takeaways we had on the show this year, and pull out a few gold nuggets for you to take into 2024.
We're truly thankful for all you listeners and viewers for tuning into the Bank Marketing Show and we're excited to bring you a wide range of new guests and material for the coming year!


In this episode:
- Discover innovative bank marketing strategies to stand out in a crowded market.
- Uncover the power of neuroscience in crafting effective banking messages.
- Understand the crucial role of a bank's mission in building trust and loyalty.
- Explore avenues for professional and personal growth within the banking industry.
- Preview a few tips coming up on our 1/8/24 episode, about connecting with Millennials and Gen Z in the banking sector.


Resources Mentioned:
- We’d love to hear your stories! Email them to contact@bankmarketingshow.com
- Bank Marketing Minute Newsletter: bankmarketingminute.com 
- Website: The Bank Marketing Show: bankmarketingshow.com

11 Dec 2023Ep 48 - The Power of Data-Driven Marketing with Dvir Ginzburg and Ilan Flax00:45:13

Data-driven marketing doesn’t need to be difficult. Community Banks of any size can use data-driven techniques to better understand their customers and predict their needs.  In this episode, Dan and Chris chat with Dvir Ginsburg and Ilan Flax of Insait, a data platform that’s helping community bank marketing and analytics teams achieve higher conversion through data-driven analysis and campaign creation.

We discuss how data-driven techniques improved the results of a recent CD campaign, and the differences between data-driven, personalized marketing, spam marketing, and spray-and-pray campaigns and how each of these marketing avenues impacts potential customer response.  Listen in to learn more about Insait’s approach and how you can apply similar techniques at your bank.

Topics Include: 

     What data-driven marketing really is

     How can community banks get started with data-driven marketing

     How a simple CD campaign can be 200% more effective by using data to target and personalize

     How to reach customers where you think they’ll respond

Dvir Ginzburg is the CEO at Insait. He has a Ph.D. in Geometric Deep Learning. He’s previously worked at Microsoft as a Recommendation System Researcher.

Ilan Flax is the Head of Business Development and Strategy at Insait. He’s a former Professional Soccer Coach. He has a Sociology degree from Columbia University.

Resources Mentioned:

     Favorite Book: Mindset: The New Psychology of Success by Carol S. Dweck, Ph.D. https://www.amazon.com/Mindset-Psychology-Carol-S-Dweck/dp/0345472322/ref=tmm_pap_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=&sr=

     Website: https://insait.io/

     Insait IO LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/insait-io/

     Dvir Ginzbur LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dvirginzburg/

     Ilan Flax LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ilan-flax/

     Email: ilan@insait.io dvir@insait.io 

 

30 Sep 2024Ep 69 - 5 Most Common Community Bank Goals00:37:22

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:

 

15 Apr 2024Ep 57 - Simple SEO You Can Do Today with Ben Walsh01:01:28

SEO is a powerful but often misunderstood tool to improve your bank’s rankings on search engines – which translates directly into being found, especially among younger, digital-first generations. In fact, search rankings are one place that it’s often possible for small local institutions to outrank their larger, national competition...if you know the tricks.

In this episode, Chris and Dan interview Ben Walsh, an SEO expert, about how rankings are a local bank’s most powerful tool.  Ben walks us through the easiest changes to make – literally things that you can do today in just a few minutes.  Plus, we discuss the ongoing things you should be doing (e.g., reviews) that will help you outrank your competition.

Topics Include:

     How SEO has evolved over recent years

     The biggest ranking factors that community banks should know about

     Why images and reviews on your Google My Business profiles are extra important

     How to improve your website’s SEO

     How big picture SEO makes local banks competitive with larger banks

Ben Walsh is a local SEO veteran with over ten years of experience. He helps local businesses get more leads, calls, and walk-ins.

Resources Mentioned:

     Website: https://marketlocalseo.com/

     LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ben-walsh-73ab78105/

     Website: https://bankmarketingshow.com/   

 

23 Jan 2023Ep 25 - The Role of a Marketer00:29:42

Bank marketers find their way into the profession one way or another – but rarely does someone set out to become one.  Instead, most bank marketers have followed a winding path to get there, usually through another role within the bank.  So is it possible to sum up what a bank marketer should be?  If you’re not yet a bank marketer, but want to be, how can you aim yourself there?

In this episode, Dan Novalis and Chris Bates talk about their own pathways into bank marketing. They both took different paths into the profession but they agree on one thing. Bank marketing may seem dry from the outside, but the people within the industry are fantastic – real people people – making the industry a lot of fun.  They also talk about the differences between marketing roles at small banks and large banks.

What is your role and experience as a bank marketer? Connect with us on our website to share your bank marketing stories.

Topics Include:

  • The role of a bank marketer and how it differs across the industry
  • Some of the pathways into bank marketing
  • What a day in the life of a marketer looks like
  • Bank marketers' biggest challenges and successes

Resources Mentioned:

 

 

05 Aug 2024Ep 65 - The Importance of Brand Voice [Replay of Ep 39]00:38:25

It's a Bank Marketing Show Best-Ever Summer Replay!

This week, we replay one of our most downloaded episodes ever - The Importance of Brand Voice. Listen in on why brand voice matters and what you should do about it in your bank.

 

A great brand voice has the same effect as a finely-tuned orchestra playing an unforgettable melody. For your bank, this means memorable differentiation from your competitors. Developing your brand voice involves determining the right tone, communication style, and emotions that echo the bank's mission. It’s not just the realm of marketing.  Like creating a great culture, developing a brand’s voice starts from the top of the organization.

 

In this week’s podcast, we share salient advice on striking the right balance – finding the right chord with your chosen target audience without alienating others.  This harmonization creates deeper connections between customers and your bank’s values and culture, hence increasing the customer retention and attraction.

 

In this episode, we talk about:

-       Discovering the critical role of a distinctive brand voice in banking.

-       Gaining insights into why bank executives themselves need to shape their brand voice.

-       Uncovering the power of favoring unique identity over generic descriptions for your bank.

-       Understanding how aligning your brand voice with the desired customer experience can reshape your institution’s public perception.

-       Learning how to set your brand voice apart from competitors to stand out in the industry.

Resources Mentioned:

-       Bank Marketing Minute Newsletter: bankmarketingminute.com

-       Website: The Bank Marketing Show: bankmarketingshow.com

-       For a free guide to creating your brand voice, email: contact@bankmarketingshow.com with Subject Line “Brand Voice”

26 Dec 2022Ep 23 - The best gold nuggets of 202200:35:59

To wrap up 2022, and celebrate the first year of the Bank Marketing Show, Chris and Dan re-visit the best bank marketing tidbits from the first 22 episodes.  They break it down into four main categories you won’t want to miss: real community engagement, industry leadership, marketing partners, and the power of marketing.

One good decision can create a good day. There’s power in storytelling: big banks can’t tell a community story the way community banks can. Be more human. Be a storyteller, not a product pusher, and really connect with your community audience.

Topics Include:

  • What it means to be a community bank
  • The power of being authentically you
  • What happens when you focus on your own personal development
  • Why your interpersonal work relationships are important
  • The importance of being engaged with your community and other bank marketers
  • What happens when you’re intentional and focused on what you market
  • Why it’s essential to find marketing partners and experts in each area
  • How content is about connecting with your target audience
  • Why you need to tell stories about your products

Resources Mentioned:

  • Website: The Bank Marketing Show, bankmarketingshow.com
  • Episode 3: Adam Koishor, Credit Union Marketing Executive
  • Episode 4: Shannon Aker, President, Bank of Brookhaven
  • Episode 6: Chris Kellum, Author, “Igniting Your Purpose”
  • Episode 7: Gordon Fellows, President & CEO of Mississippi Bankers Association
  • Episode 10: Jim Perry, Senior Strategist, Market Insights
  • Episode 12: John McNair, President, CBA of GA
  • Episode 13: Shondell Varcianna, Owner, Varci Media
  • Episode 15: Emily Mays, Chief Administrative Officer, Community Spirit Bank
  • Episode 20: Ben Pankonin, CEO, Social Assurance
  • Episode 21: Dave Jesiolowski, Author, “One Decision Can”
  • Episode 22: Eric Cook, Founder, The LinkedBanker

 

18 Mar 2024Ep 55 - How Bank Five Nine used heritage to rebrand for the future with Jeff McCarthy00:46:27

Community banks, it’s time to stand out from the crowd. Rebrands are no small feat – and to make them successful, lots of parts need to align in order to develop something that no other bank can replicate.

In this episode, we interview Jeff McCarthy, SVP and Marketing Director of Bank Five Nine in Oconomowoc, Wisconsin.  Jeff led the bank through a major rebranding project that has paid dividends in the last few years since it launched.  Jeff walks us through his process, from the initial idea to the decision to rebrand the bank completely – and the steps they took to get there, including how he navigated obstacles along the way.  And, he shares the successes they’ve seen since the brand launch.

Topics Include: 

     Why it's important to differentiate your community bank

     How to prepare your customers for a brand change

     How a rebrand can help your community bank get better recognition

     What the process for a rebranding announcement looks like

     Why it’s important to overcommunicate the reason for a rebrand

  

Jeff McCarthy is the Senior Vice President, Marketing Director at Bank Five Nine. Headquartered in Oconomowoc, WI, Bank Five Nine is a community bank with roughly $1.8 billion in assets and fourteen branch locations.

Jeff has been with the bank for over ten years, leading the organization through a complete rebrand in 2020. For his work, Jeff was recognized as the CMO of the Year by the Milwaukee Business Journal and as a Notable Marketing Executive by BizTimes Milwaukee.

Before joining the bank, he worked primarily in account management for various Milwaukee-based advertising agencies.

Outside of the office, Jeff serves as the President of the Oconomowoc Area Chamber of Commerce and previously served as the Chairperson of the Wisconsin Bankers Association (WBA) Marketing Committee. He has been featured as a speaker at conferences for the WBA and the Washington Bankers Association, as well as at The Financial Brand Forum.

Resources Mentioned:

     Favorite Book or Resource: The Experience Maker by Dan Gingiss

     Website: https://www.bankfivenine.com/

     LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jmccarthy427/

     Email Jeff: jeff.mccarthy@bankfivenine.com

     Email Chris and Dan: contact@bankmarketingshow.com

     Get Chris and Dan’s Bank Marketing Minute e-newsletter: bankmarketingminute.com

 

19 Sep 2022Ep 16 - Tech Talk: The five fundamental marketing technologies your company needs00:46:39

Your bank needs technology to grow and to serve your customers better. You can use technology to upgrade your systems and the way you communicate with your customers. We think every bank should have a tag management system on their website to help analyze the behavior of their visitors and monitor whether they’re new customers or returning customers. We also recommend using technology for your bank’s reputation management, especially when it comes to online reviews and ensuring your online presence and listings are consistent and accurate.

In this episode, Dan Novalis and Chris Bates discuss the five fundamental marketing technologies that your bank needs. These five technologies cover data management, automation, tag management, reputation management, and analytics and reporting. This episode is especially relevant to you if you’re in marketing, business development, administration, sales, or the organizational progress of your bank. 

Topics Include: 

  • Tech is only going to solve a problem if you already have that problem
  • As a bank, what are the fundamental pieces of marketing you should be thinking of?
  • Focus on the tech solutions that your bank needs, not what other banks are doing
  • How to use data analytics to help your bank grow
  • The role of automation in customer management and connection
  • How to use email marketing to send personalized communication to your customers
  • The benefits of tag management
  • Everyone listening to this episode should have some kind of tag manager on their site, even if you’re months away from using the data
  • The relationship between reputation management and bank technology
  • The more consistent and accurate your business information is, the higher you’ll rank on search engines
  • There are tech upgrades out there regardless of the size of your bank

Resources Mentioned:

10 Nov 2022Ep 20 - Creating Brand Stories for Content That Matters with Ben Pankonin00:43:42

Your customers don’t want to hear about your bank’s latest offers, they want to hear how it helped people in your community realize their dreams. This is the power of marketing; this is the power of storytelling. Banks need to create online content that resonates with their customers, on the social media channels where they hang out, meeting them where they are.

In this episode, Dan Novalis, Chris Bates, and Ben Pankonin chat about storytelling and why more community banks need to engage with their online audience this way. Ben explains where banks can best connect with their communities online and how to meet them where they are, especially the younger generations. Ben also talks about the power of individuals in a community bank showing up personally online, building their own social media presence, and how this can help grow your community bank.

Topics Include: 

  • The role storytelling has in community relations
  • Why marketers tell stories
  • How a bank can tell its own stories to build their communities
  • Why content creation matters when you’re building communities
  • What makes a good marketing story
  • How design restraints can make you more creative
  • How to get marketing opportunities out of compliance activities
  • How banks can get the most out of social media platforms
  • What personality marketing community banks can do differently than commercial banks

Ben Pankonin is a seasoned entrepreneur, tech innovator, and community leader. A veteran in the banking and financial services space, Ben is especially knowledgeable about the obstacles community banks, credit unions, and financial brands face in authentically engaging their customers and communities in an increasingly digital environment. As a thought leader and speaker, Ben draws on decades of experience leading scaled growth and is particularly adept at navigating the complexities of heavily regulated industries. He challenges teams and leaders to take realistic and actionable next steps toward innovation and growth with the big picture in mind. 

Ben serves as CEO of Social Assurance–a SaaS company he co-founded in 2011 that today serves over 1,500 financial brands nationwide. Ben studied computer science and business administration at Nebraska Wesleyan University. He remains actively involved in numerous community groups, including serving on several nonprofit boards and within entrepreneurship groups and programs, including the Pipeline Entrepreneurs and the Chamber of Commerce Founders group. 

Business Best: Interacting with young people and students in the bank and tracking their stories

Favorite Book or Resource: Adam Grant - Rethinking & the latest

Most Impactful Advice Received: “If you don’t know what to do, book a meeting.”

Advice for Team: Humility and drive. You’ll be successful if you have the humility to know that you’re not always the smartest person in the room and that you need to seek help from others around you, and whether you have the drive to take on things that you didn’t think were possible.

Resources Mentioned:

17 Feb 2023Ep 27 - Finding Success In Today’s Digital Advertising00:42:43

There’s a lot of talk about an upcoming recession and how it will affect spending habits. It’s essential that financial institutions keep up their digital marketing to ensure brand awareness. In fact, a recent study showed that Americans are collectively sitting on $1.7 trillion in excess savings, which is giving many people a bit of a cushion. There’s a lot of opportunity for banks, even during economic downturns.

In this episode, Dan Novalis, Chris Bates, and Shannon Walion Dominguez discuss tactics to help banks navigate the current economy. They also discuss why banks should promote low-risk saving ventures such as CDs, the opportunity to gain customers, social media, hyper-focused potential customers, brand awareness, video campaigns, and more.

Topics Include:

  • Digital considerations for 2023
  • Why banks should be doing more digital advertising
  • Opportunities to steal market share
  • Success stories and tips
  • And other topics...

Shannon Walion Dominguez is the Senior Director of Client Success at Brkthru where she handles sales and consulting for their advertising agency partners in the Southeast and Midwest.  She and her husband, Chris, are proud parents to a son and have a baby on the way! In her spare time, you can find her with their rescue pup, Alpha, and their two rescue horses, Brave and Cowboy. Someday, she hopes to run an animal sanctuary. 

  • Personal Best: Finding balance as a mom and an employee
  • Business Best: Being the first employee and a part of landing Brkthru on the Inc. 5000 Fastest Growing Companies
  • Favorite Book: Life is So Good by George Dawson
  • Most Impactful Advice Received: Hard work beats talent when talent doesn’t work hard.
  • Advice for Staff: Find a way to put our clients first without sacrificing your well-being

Resources Mentioned

04 Mar 2024Ep 54 - MAJOR MARKETING CHALLENGE SERIES #4 - The Alignment of Effort And Value00:28:26

We’re returning with the fourth episode of the Major Marketing Challenge Series – where we discuss the biggest problems facing bank marketing teams.

In our work with banks, we find that many teams end up spending time on tasks that don’t add to the bottom line – like the right shade of orange for your logo. And those same teams breeze through the stuff that matters more – like the right CTA for a landing page or a proper A/B test to figure out what really resonates with customers.  Marketers should be spending time putting themselves in the customers’ shoes and understanding their problems – rather than just trying to crank out the next product-based email or flier content.

 

If you're a community banker looking to enhance customer engagement, drive business growth, and optimize your marketing strategies, tuning into this episode will provide you with some actionable tips and a fresh perspective on creating impactful marketing initiatives that yield measurable results.

 

In this episode:

-       Why you should prioritize Impact Over Perfection

-       How to Align Marketing Efforts with Strategic Goals

-       How to Personalize Communications for Greater Resonance

Resources Mentioned:

-       We’d love to hear your stories!  Email them to contact@bankmarketingshow.com

-       Bank Marketing Minute Newsletter: bankmarketingminute.com

-       Website: The Bank Marketing Show: bankmarketingshow.com

 

06 Sep 2022Ep 15 - Insights From A Marketing Leader On True Community engagement00:42:58

Establishing a distinctive brand online is imperative. It requires consistent and cohesive messaging across all channels to create a brand that stands apart from the competition. 

In this episode, Dan Novalis, Chris Bates, and Emily Mays discuss what it takes to become a recognizable brand and the importance of taking the chance rather than getting stuck in analysis paralysis. They also discuss how it’s essential to accept that not everything you post will be relevant to all audiences– you can’t be everybody’s cup of tea all the time.

Topics Include:

  • Becoming a recognizable brand
  • Consistent and cohesive messaging
  • Importance of avoiding analysis paralysis
  • And other topics...

Emily Mays currently serves as Community Spirit Bank's Vice President/Chief Administrative Officer and Senior Marketing Director and has been in the financial industry for the past seventeen years.

Emily has made a name for herself in banking, utilizing her voice and social media efforts to advocate and educate about the banking industry. She is a founding member of the Social Bankers, a group of community bank marketers from across the country that share ideas and experiences to help banks and their communities thrive. Further, she is a social media mentor to local small businesses and area civic organizations.

Along with project management and marketing at the bank, she heads the financial literacy initiatives in 13 area schools. She is a financial education columnist for a local magazine. And an adjunct instructor teaching financial literacy and banking at the Barret School of Banking in Memphis, TN.

She holds a Bachelor of Business Administration, is a Barret Graduate School of Banking alumna, and recently completed her Bank Executive Leadership certification.

Resources Mentioned:

31 Mar 2025Ep 82 - Building an Army of Brand Ambassadors00:35:57

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

02 Sep 2024Ep 67 - 5 Things You Should Be Doing With Email00:44:16

Even though email has been around for decades, surprisingly, many banks are not utilizing the channel optimally (or at all!).  In this episode, Chris and Dan dive deep into email marketing for banks – everything from the mundane birthday email to data-driven onboarding and cross-selling campaigns. 

If you're a bank marketer or a professional in the financial industry, this episode is a must-listen, providing practical advice, valuable insights, and a friendly, personable approach to email marketing strategies that can enhance customer engagement and drive growth.

In this episode:

-       Strategy: Tips for crafting compelling email campaigns that captivate and convert

-       Boost Open Rates: Ensure your messages get the attention they deserve.

-       Content Ideas for Bank Newsletters: ways to make newsletter creation less of a chore, get more mileage out of the content in between newsletters, and make the topics interesting and valuable

-       Customer Onboarding: Learn how to create a seamless and engaging onboarding email series that sets the stage for long-term customer satisfaction and loyalty.

-       Maximizing Cross-Selling Opportunities: Unleash the power of cross-selling through email and drive increased business outcomes for your bank.

Resources Mentioned:

-       contact@bankmarketingshow.com

-       Go deeper on content: Hollie Brown Episode 58

-       Bank Marketing Minute Newsletter: bankmarketingminute.com

-       Website: The Bank Marketing Show: bankmarketingshow.com

28 May 2024Ep 60 - How Effective Systems Improve Your Results00:28:08

Chris and Dan dive into the impact of a bank's team structure on its marketing operations. No matter the size of your bank or credit union, there are a few key things to keep in mind when structuring the marketing team.

 

In this episode, Chris and Dan emphasize the importance of first aligning marketing activities with the bank’s strategic plan. Once the activity set is defined, you can then structure the marketing team to support those activities.  This builds your bank’s marketing foundation as a core part of the bank’s operations, and helps you move beyond traditional, disjointed operations to a systematic and coordinated approach – elevating the marketing function within your institution.

 

Listen for more actionable details on:

 

-       How mastering bank marketing functional systems leads to increased customer engagement and brand visibility.

-       The importance of marketing team structure in banking for streamlined operations and enhanced customer experiences.

-       How to enhance bank marketing with digital tools to stay ahead in the competitive landscape.

-       Learning effective methods for measuring ROI in bank marketing campaigns to maximize your marketing budget.

Resources Mentioned:

-       We’d love to hear about your team’s structure, and what works and doesn’t: email contact@bankmarketingshow.com

-       Bank Marketing Minute Newsletter: bankmarketingminute.com

-       Website: The Bank Marketing Show: bankmarketingshow.com

09 Aug 2022Ep 14 - The Must-Know Elements of Your Messaging00:38:15

When people can open up an account or get a loan anywhere, why do they pick your bank? It comes down to your branding, tone, and the personality of your messaging. Even if you offer great service, if your branding doesn’t speak to them, they won’t pick your financial institution. 

 

In this episode, Dan Novalis and Chris Bates discuss the important elements of your messaging, how tone will vary depending upon the region and customer, and how critical consistency across all of your messaging is. They also discuss ways that you can ensure your personality and messaging are clear on your website, and how to be a problem-solver rather than just a bank.

 

Topics Include:

  • Tone and personality of messaging
  • Brand preferences
  • Consistency of messaging
  • How your message is presented
  • Speaking to customers in product-based ads & messages
  • Creating personality differentiators
  • Asking questions and making it about your customer
  • And other topics...

 

Resources Mentioned:

Episode 8: https://bankmarketingshow.com/podcast/ep-08-narrowing-your-audience-to-create-excited-customers/

10 Jun 2024Ep 61 - 2024 Mid-Year Trends (Hint: AI)00:35:52

Chris and Dan dive into the ever-evolving landscape of AI in banking. Drawing from their experiences, they shed light on the prevalent use of AI and its transformative impact on marketing strategies within the banking sector. They emphasize the importance of staying ahead of the curve by embracing AI and adapting it into the culture of financial institutions.

This episode provides valuable insights into the current trends, emphasizing the need for banks to innovate and incorporate AI and other strategies to enhance customer-specific marketing messages. With a focus on AI integration and its potential to revolutionize banking operations, this episode offers a comprehensive overview of the industry's shifting landscape and provides essential guidance for bank marketers looking to stay ahead in marketing and AI integration.

In this episode:

  • 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:

31 Oct 2022Ep 19 - Challenge and Pain Point - Customer Attrition & Retention00:36:23

Attrition is normal, but 20-30% of customer churn can be attributable directly to customer service issues, and other things within your control.  Plus, in a post-Covid world where fintechs are proliferating, many financial institutions are seeing “quiet attrition” – where some of a customer’s business leaves the bank, but there’s no formal closure of accounts.  What can you do within your bank to address and prevent these forms of churn?

In this episode, Dan Novalis and Chris Bates discuss methods that can help you retain customers, from advertising and marketing campaigns, to data analysis, and technology.

Topics Include:

  • What is “quiet attrition”?
  • Specific steps you can take to lower customer attrition
  • How to identify attrition-likely customers before it’s too late
  • Why you should offer added value with resources and education
  • Minimizing friction in the customer experience
  • And other topics...

Resources Mentioned:

 

04 Sep 2023Ep 41 - Creating Stickier Customers00:34:26

Marketing plays a vital role in attracting new customers, but equally important is the need to focus on retaining existing customers – after all, it’s cheaper and often easier! In this episode, Chris and Dan dive deep into the importance of customer retention and increasing customer stickiness.

We discuss stickiness factors and new ways to think about them – and get into practical strategies for increasing customer stickiness. We also chat about the need for coordination between marketing and retail teams, and the importance of leveraging technology and data to create a retention program, not just a report.

By increasing stickiness, utilizing technology, and coordinating efforts between teams, we can increase customer retention and build long-lasting relationships.

In this episode, we talk about:

  •           Why retention has become more and more important in the last few years
  •           Specific factors that lead to customer stickiness in banking - a critical determinant of your institution's growth
  •           The interplay between advanced technology, data, and effective customer retention strategies
  •           Personalized communication strategies and market segmentation techniques that drive customer loyalty
  •           How to create and deploy feedback loops and customer surveys for smoother customer experiences

Resources Mentioned:

-       Bank Marketing Minute Newsletter: bankmarketingminute.com

-       Website: The Bank Marketing Show: bankmarketingshow.com

-       For a free copy of “The Stickier Customer Playbook”, email: contact@bankmarketingshow.com with Subject Line “Stickier Customer Playbook”

 

20 Jan 2025Ep 77 The Essentials and Benefits of Brand Messaging with Erin Fults00:47:28

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:

 

27 Jun 2022Ep 10 - How to be Customer-Centric in Today’s Dynamic Marketplace00:44:18

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:

 

18 Mar 2022Ep 03 - Bank Marketing with Adam Koishor - Marketing & Communications Executive00:33:39
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:

30 Oct 2023Ep 45 - Drill Into Your Marketing Plan - Goals, Audience, Message00:30:54

You’re already making a strategic plan (hopefully!) – but you can make it work harder and better with more specificity. In this episode, we discuss the need for specificity when setting goals, defining a target audience, and developing a message that speaks to that audience. We also stress the importance of adaptability in strategic planning, as market conditions and customer preferences can change rapidly. Listen in for valuable insights and practical tips that will enhance your marketing strategies and increase your effectiveness in capturing your target audience.

 

In this episode, we talk about:

-          How strategic plans can boost your bank’s growth, rather than just being a to-do list item

-          How setting specific and measurable goals can lead to higher growth

-          Keeping track of your progress with precise metrics

-          Staying ahead of the curve with adaptable strategic planning techniques

Resources Mentioned:

-       Bank Marketing Minute Newsletter: bankmarketingminute.com

-       Website: The Bank Marketing Show: bankmarketingshow.com

-       For a free guide to strategic planning, just email us: contact@bankmarketingshow.com with Subject Line “Strategic Plan”

 

06 Feb 2023Ep 26 - How Targeted Marketing Gives You ROI00:47:57

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:

 

24 Jul 2023Ep 38 - The Power of Connection with Neil Stevens00:46:19

Connection – with your team, your bank, your customers, and your own self - is the key to great leadership and to creating a truly engaged team. It starts at the top. Your bank’s leadership needs to feel confident in and connected with the values, vision, and mission of your institution. When this happens, and you hire people whose personal visions are already aligned with yours, you start building a great company culture, too.

In this episode, Dan Novalis, Chris Bates, and Neil Stevens discuss what goes into connected teams. Neil shares his LEAD methodology for creating stronger connections: Love, Equip, Affirm, and Develop others. Being a better and connected leader starts with prioritizing yourself and your emotional and mental health. When you treat yourself right, you can encourage a better performance from your team.

Topics Include: 

     Why connection is so important for bankers

     How to develop a company culture that makes sense for your organization

     Why you need strong leadership to lead your company culture

     Why leaders need to prioritize themselves and their emotional/mental health

     How to encourage better performance in your team

Neil Stevens is an accomplished banker, speaker, community leader, brand strategist, and fitness enthusiast. As President & CEO of Oconee State Bank in Watkinsville, Georgia, his visionary perspective inspires growth, drives direction, and helps clear obstacles for team members to achieve their personal and professional goals. Happiest when surrounded by his family, Neil’s passion is to create a positive impact on others through servant leadership.

Personal Best: Marrying my bride 35 years ago. We’ve been together for almost 40 years.

Business Best: We just made an acquisition of a savings and loan company. The collaboration between our bank and their team was incredible to watch.

Favorite Book or Resource: Good to Great by Jim Collins https://www.amazon.com/Good-to-Great-Jim-Collins-audiobook/dp/B003VXI5MS and The Power of Moments by Chip and Dan Heath https://www.amazon.com/The-Power-of-Moments-audiobook/dp/B074TZFTDG/

Most Impactful Advice Received: “Not everything that can be counted counts. And not everything that counts can be counted.” - Albert Einstein

Advice for Staff: What’s on the walls, we must live in the halls. Our vision, mission, and values has to become part of our DNA and who we are.

Resources Mentioned:

19 Aug 2024Ep 66 - How Targeted Marketing Gives You ROI [Replay Of Ep 26]00:50:36

It's a Bank Marketing Show Best-Ever Summer Replay!

This week, we replay one of our most downloaded episodes ever - 'How Targeted Marketing Gives You ROI'. Listen in on why targeted marketing matters and gives you returns, and what you should do about it in your bank.

 

Stop thinking about selling your product. Start thinking about how it benefits your customer. Data-driven campaigns are the future of marketing. By gathering data on your existing customers, large and small banks can use this information to create better-targeted advertising campaigns.

In this episode, Dan Novalis, Chris Bates, and Ria Iyengar discuss how data-driven, targeted marketing gives banks a better return on their investment. Benefit-driven marketing helps you map out which products make sense for your customers. Banks can start using the information they already have about their customers to create better, more engaged campaigns. Ria also recommends directly asking your customers what interests them about your bank and what products they want more information about.

What is your role and experience as a bank marketer? Connect with us on our website to share your bank marketing stories.

Topics Include:

  • 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:

 

17 Oct 2022Ep 18 - Case Study: Social Media Engagement at a $2B Bank00:40:28

When you see smaller financial institutions that have more followers and significantly more engagement than yours, you may wonder what you’re doing wrong. But the reality is that organic reach has been declining in general, and especially on Facebook, where polarizing content often wins the day.  It’s important for financial institutions to have a strategy to increase engagement, and the great news is that it’s possible to improve your social media engagement with a few simple changes to your approach.

In this episode, Dan Novalis and Chris Bates discuss the right way to get social media engagement and the wrong way. They talk about the importance of knowing the numbers, creating a strategy, and focusing on the quality of your posts rather than the quantity.

Topics Include:

  • How to compete using social media engagement
  • Having the right metrics to track
  • Why you should spend more time on fewer posts
  • Why you should begin with just one platform
  • And other topics...

Resources Mentioned:

 

12 Jun 2023Ep 35 - Finding Digital Ad performance and ROI with Alana Levine - CRO, Fintel Connect00:47:04

Do you have clearly defined goals for your bank marketing efforts? The only way you can determine if your marketing is performing – and adding bottom line to your bank – is if you are tracking your progress against goals. Digital ads won’t work if you just throw money at them.

In this episode, Dan Novalis, Chris Bates, and Alana Levine, CRO of Fintel Connect, discuss finding digital ad performance and ROI. It is possible for banks to track digital ad ROI – and it’s probably easier than you think.  We discuss how important it is for the entire marketing system to work well, that all aspects must be measured and tracked, and we get into the process for how to track them.

Topics Include:

-       What is tracking, and why should you do it?

-       Setting clear goals and objectives

-       Pros and cons of conversion-based metrics vs. visibility metrics

-       Performance monitoring

-       How digital ads and tracking support business goals

-       And other topics...

Alana Levine is CRO and founding member of Fintel Connect (fintelconnect.com), the leading growth marketing solution built for the financial industry. Alana has experience across multiple niche verticals servicing 50+ markets worldwide, with a passion for partnerships, marketing, and business development. She previously held leadership roles in SaaS technology and fintech businesses and holds bachelor’s degrees in economics and psychology and a post-graduate degree in finance from McGill University.

-       Personal Best: Skiing the Couloir Extreme in Whistler

-       Business Best: Raising Fintel Connect’s first round last year with BankTech Ventures

-       Favorite Book: Predictably Irrational by Dr. Dan Ariely

-       Most Impactful Advice Received: Focus on what you can control and not on what you can’t.

-       Advice for Staff: When you focus on contribution and creating value, great things happen.

Resources Mentioned:

-       Fintel Connect: fintelconnect.com

-       LinkedIn: Alana Levine

-       Twitter: @Alana_Fintel

-       Website: The Bank Marketing Show

-       Email: contact@bankmarketingshow.com

 

16 May 2022Ep 07 - The Pulse of the Industry and Advocacy through Marketing with Gordon Fellows – President & CEO of the Mississippi Bankers Association (MBA)00:46:31

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:

 

17 Apr 2023Ep 31 - The Role of Marketing in Crisis Communications00:31:22

Ep 31 - The Role of Marketing in Crisis Communications

As a cornerstone of the community, banks play an important role in times of crisis. In the wake of the March 2023 bank failures, community banks must build confidence in their strength, and marketing is the key.

In this episode, Dan Novalis and Chris Bates discuss the role of marketing in crisis communications, why it’s crucial to have a plan, and how marketing and PR are correlated. They also discuss the basics of creating a crisis communication plan so everyone knows their role if a crisis occurs. 

Topics Include:

-       Why you should have a crisis communication plan

-       How marketing and PR are correlated

-       The importance of proactive messaging

-       And more...

Resources Mentioned:

-       Donations For The MS Tornado Crisis: Bank of Anguilla Disaster Relief Fund

-       Website: The Bank Marketing Show

-       Email: contact@bankmarketingshow.com

 

19 May 2022Ep 08 - Narrowing Your Audience to Create Excited Customers00:36:07

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:

06 Jan 2025Ep 76 - The Power of Local - Banking in the Community00:33:29

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:

20 Mar 2023Ep 29 - The Value of Strategy00:19:48
  • Ep 29 - The Value of Strategy

    To meet your goals, you must pause to plan. Marketing cannot be viewed as a side project but as an integral part of your strategy. Do you know what your customer journey looks like? What are the steps that lead from brand awareness to researching a solution to actually opening an account? Considering these factors will help you create a strategy that leads to success.

    In this episode, Dan Novalis and Chris Bates host their first live-in-person podcast from a marketing agency conference in Denver, Colorado. They discuss how growth comes from having goals, a strategy, and a plan. 

    Topics Include:

    -       Why you should pause to plan

    -       Being deliberate with planning and checking in

    -       Mapping out the customer journey

    -       Identifying 2-3 things you can do to make a difference

    -       And other topics...

    Resources Mentioned:

    -       Website: The Bank Marketing Show

    -       Email: contact@bankmarketingshow.com

     

07 Jul 2022Ep 11 - Answers to Essential Questions Around Your Marketing Budget00:41:20

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:

24 Jun 2024Ep 62 - Banking Association Perspectives with Chris Moya, CEO of ICBA-NM00:37:03

Even with the rapidly shifting financial landscape, community banks remain a pillar of the local economy. Up until recently, interest rates remained largely unchanged and favorable for business owners and buyers. But over the last 18 months, a shift has taken place that is showing us a new reality.

In this episode, Chris interviews Chris Moya, CEO of ICBA of New Mexico. They discuss upcoming marketing trends for community banking – like showcasing the value you bring to the community, building relationships with younger customers, and finding beneficial partnerships with fintechs and marketing agencies.  It’s not about changing who you are, it’s about telling your story.

Topics Include: 

  • 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:

19 Feb 2024Ep 53 - MAJOR MARKETING CHALLENGE SERIES #3 - Avoid Scattered Marketing00:26:02

We’re returning with the third episode of the Major Marketing Challenge Series – covering the risks of scattered marking tactics.

In this episode, we discuss the common struggle of scattered marketing in the banking industry. We emphasize the importance of having a strategic marketing plan to avoid wasted resources and ineffective tactics, and share real-life examples while stressing the need for a proactive mindset shift, highlighting the benefits of surrendering old habits and embracing intentional strategies.

 

Our conversation also touches on the role of video in marketing and the significance of aligning marketing messages with the overall strategic goals of banks and credit unions. We encourage listeners to reach out for guidance and support in developing strategic marketing plans. If you're a marketing professional in a community bank or credit union and find yourself grappling with scattered marketing tactics, tuning in to this episode could equip you with insights to overcome this challenge and implement more targeted and effective marketing campaigns.

 

In this episode:

·         Uncover the hidden potential in your marketing strategy with a focused approach.

·         Elevate your marketing game and leave behind scattered tactics for good.

·         Craft strategic marketing plans that yield tangible results for your bank or credit union.

·         Align your messaging to resonate with your audience and drive meaningful connections.

·         Embrace a proactive mindset in marketing to stay ahead of the curve and stand out from the competition.

 

Resources Mentioned:

-       We’d love to hear your stories!  Email them to contact@bankmarketingshow.com

-       Bank Marketing Minute Newsletter: bankmarketingminute.com

-       Website: The Bank Marketing Show: bankmarketingshow.com

 

28 Nov 2022Ep 21 - From Stress To Success – Making Better Decisions with Dave Jesiolowski00:54:54

You’re one good decision from having a good day. By repeating these good decisions, you can have a good life. Making decisions isn’t easy; we’re faced with fear, the fear of regret, distractions, and temptations with almost every decision we make. But when you choose the best things for your life, your life will be the best it can be. Our guest decided he was tired of who he was and wanted to become who he could become – a decision he made after a conversation with his coach.

In this episode, Dan Novalis, Chris Bates, and Dave Jesiolowski talk about how to make good decisions. Having confidence in yourself stems from a history of good experiences from your decisions. Dave says that you can have more good experiences by entering them with a positive mindset, energy, and excitement for what you’re about to do. We also discuss the importance of mentors pushing you in the right direction.

Topics Include: 

  • How to apply a cost/benefit analysis to your personal decisions
  • How making the right decisions leads to a better life
  • What happens when you know who you want to be
  • How our mood impacts our decisions
  • The importance of morning and evening routines
  • Why you have to believe in what you’re doing
  • How to build experience
  • The role of mentors
  • How your energy can impact the room you’re in

Dave Jesiolowski is the author of One Decision Can, a High-Performance Coach, a Motivational Speaker, and has also been a high performer and producer himself. As a former professional hockey player who finished in the top 100 all-time in penalty minutes, he has been coached by the best coaches in the world, including the legendary Mike Babcock, who led Team Canada to two Olympic Gold Medals and the Detroit Red Wings to a Stanley Cup Championship. 

Dave’s experiences and training of playing professional hockey, producing an award-winning career of 16 years in the financial services business, earning a position as a top-performing executive with two Fortune 500 Companies, and being trained in the Tony Robbins Coaching Certification Program verify that he has what it takes to help you drive results in your business and life. Dave shares his accumulated knowledge, experience, and wisdom to help his clients grow personally and professionally by helping them make better decisions daily. 

Personal Best: When people compliment my kids and say they’re good Christian kids. It’s one of the best compliments you can get as a parent - when people compliment your kids. 

Business Best: Having lots of conversations and helping people have less fear and stress and more hope and clarity for the future. It gives me the greatest sense of accomplishment.

Favorite Book or Resource: The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People by Stephen R. Covey https://www.amazon.com/Habits-Highly-Effective-People-Powerful/dp/1982137274/ 

Most Impactful Advice Received: Life is a numbers game. Do your best and let God take care of the rest.

Advice for Clients: Focus on what you can control and what matters

Resources Mentioned:

08 Jul 2024Ep 63 - 5 Key Strategies for Competitive Advantage00:41:49

Chris and Dan dive deep into the world of bank marketing to uncover the secrets of gaining a competitive edge. They share practical insights and actionable steps for banks to effectively leverage their competitive advantage, ultimately leading to greater differentiation and success in the market.

There's an emphasis on the importance of understanding your bank's unique value proposition and differentiating it from competitors, all while keeping things simple and specific. This is where Chris and Dan also highlight the significance of seeking feedback from both loyal and potential customers to truly understand their perceptions and preferences.

If you're a bank looking to enhance your brand differentiation and customer engagement through strategic marketing efforts, and ready to gain valuable guidance on how to stand out in a crowded market landscape, then this episode is a must-listen!

In this episode:

  • 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:

13 Nov 2023Ep 46 - The Neuroscience of Messaging with Grant Gooding00:51:49

Defaulting to “Trusted, Local” or “100+ Years in Business” in your bank’s messaging? Many banks think because it’s tried and true, or it’s meaningful to them, that it will also resonate with their customers and prospects. But you could actually be hindering your marketing efforts by sticking with generic messages like this.

This week, Chris and Dan chat with Grant Gooding, CEO of Proof Positioning, a market research firm that specializes in measuring consumer emotions and motivations. Understanding your customer base starts with exploring the neuroscience of messaging: asking the right questions to people to understand the messages and themes that will spur them to take action.  Using data and science-backed research methodologies can help you get into the minds of your customers and prospects and work towards marketing messaging that performs better and increases your ROI.

Topics Include: 

     Why do customers choose one bank over another?

     Why don’t the tried-and-true messages, like “Trusted and Local” work?

     How do people make buying decisions, or even decisions on which ad to click on?

     How hyper-focusing on a specific person or area can make your overall marketing more successful than trying to be everything to everyone

Grant Gooding is CEO of Proof Positioning, based in Kansas City, Missouri.  He got his professional start in mergers and acquisitions, working first on the legal side, then buy-side analysis, valuations, and transition management. After roughly a decade of analyzing, valuing, and transitioning hundreds of small and mid-market businesses, Grant became infatuated with market research, something that he had to work with every day. Grant determined that while valuable, almost all market research failed to address one simple yet critical question that he needed to answer for his clients:  Why are people buying this product or service from your business? 

With his MBA emphasis in qualitative research marketing, Grant spent the next several years experimenting with methodologies and measurement techniques that could be used to discover the emotions and motivations behind purchasing intent.  After working with a nationally renowned brand analyst, Grant discovered a quant method that could be used to assess brand preferences.  With that as a starting point, he and his team utilized some principles of neuroscience and behavioral economics and created a new metadata system that can accurately quantify emotional resonance. 

Today, PROOF has executed over 500 market research engagements using its emotional resonance method. It stands as one of the most novel, compelling, and accurate ways to quantify and understand why customers do the things they do.  Grant is an international speaker in Emotional Market Research and Emotional Data, an emerging field that PROOF is helping pioneer.

Nerdy Fact:  Grant is a classically trained vocalist who has performed in venues worldwide, including Carnegie Hall, Westminster Abbey, and St. Mark’s Basilica. He has 3 amazing children with his wife, Stacey, of over 13 years.

Resources Mentioned:

     Website: https://proofpositioning.com/

     LinkedIn: Grant C. Gooding https://www.linkedin.com/in/grantgooding/

 

18 Sep 2023Ep 42 - What You Need to Know Today About Generative AI00:39:48

In this episode we dive into the buzz surrounding artificial intelligence (AI) – and specifically, Generative AI tools like ChatGPT, in the banking industry.

AI is here to stay and will be utterly transformative to the financial services industry.  It's crucial for financial institutions to understand the use cases and limitations, and how to incorporate AI tools into their strategies and decision-making.  AI tools have the promise to allow banks to anticipate and meet the needs of their customers, providing personalized experiences that truly resonate. During this episode, we discuss the various applications of AI, from enhancing communication and tailoring messaging to improving operational efficiency and streamlining processes. We also address the importance of utilizing AI as a tool rather than fearing it as a threat to jobs, highlighting the opportunity for employees to become more productive and innovative.

By beginning to understand AI today, financial institutions will be well prepared for the rapid advancements this technology will bring to the industry in the near future.

In this episode, we talk about:

  • -       Discerning the expanding role of artificial intelligence in redefining banking systems.
  • -       Thriving in the digital age by harnessing the power of AI in marketing strategies and customer experience.
  • -       Sparking your imagination with a glimpse into the transformative potential of generative AI in banking.
  • -       Learning the value of letting advanced AI technology save time, inspire creativity, and streamline decision-making.
  • -       Exploring how AI makes anticipating and fulfilling consumer needs a reality in finance sector.

Resources Mentioned:

-       Bank Marketing Minute Newsletter: bankmarketingminute.com

-       Website: The Bank Marketing Show: bankmarketingshow.com

-       AI Resources and Research Mentioned:

-       The Financial Brand: How to Get Comfortable with Generative AI in Your Marketing Strategy

-       The Financial Brand: Pros and Cons as Bank Marketers Move Towards ChatGPT Rivals

-       McKinsey: AI Bank of the future: Can banks meet the challenge?

-       Accenture: Global Banking Consumer Study: Reignite Human Connections to Discover Hidden Value

 

03 Feb 2025Ep 78 - Good Marketing Starts With Culture00:29:46

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: 

28 Mar 2022Ep 02 - Strategic Planning00:43:58
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:

03 Apr 2023Ep 30 - Think Like a Brand, Not a Bank00:56:20

Ep 30 - Think Like a Brand, Not a Bank

In this episode, Chris Bates and Dan Novalis interview Allison Netzer and Liz High, authors of the book “Think Like a Brand, Not a Bank” – a must read for any banker.  Your bank’s brand belongs to everyone in the bank, from teller to CEO.  Banks and companies that focus on their brand almost always outperform in their markets – and we discuss examples of banks that have done just that.

We also chat about the five principles shared in the book: doing counterintuitive things, embracing tension, cueing the remix, products that aren’t what they used to be, and coaching and composing.

Topics Include:

  • Why banks need to have a brand-first mindset
  • What a brand is not
  • What happens when banks make an emotional connection with their customers
  • Why banks need to do counterintuitive things
  • How leaning into tension can help your bank solve problems

Allison Netzer started her career at Dell, working across various cross-industry sales and marketing roles in the United States, India, and Japan. Over the past two decades, Allison has worked with brands like the Dallas Cowboys, Cisco, Southwest Airlines, and Aetna.

Liz High has shaped corporate and brand strategy utilizing data-driven insight in nearly every industry by drawing on extensive marketing agency experience. Liz has founded multiple successful marketing and insight agencies with clients ranging from Amazon and HBO to GE Money and Citibank.

Resources Mentioned:

 

15 May 2023Ep 33 - Competing on Customer Experience with Joann Marsili00:46:01

Ep 33 – Competing on Customer Experience with Joann Marsili

Community banks must focus on what they do best: connecting with customers and building their brand. It’s easy to look around the corner and see what everyone else, especially megabanks, is doing, but resist the urge. Focus on what your customers need instead.

In this episode, Chris and Dan interview Joann Marsili, CFMP, and EVP, Chief Marketing, and Digital Experience Officer of Fidelity Bank in Leominster, Massachusetts.  We dive deep into the differences between customer experience and customer service – and how to create a cohesive experience across all your platforms (ATMs, call center, branch, app, online). Your clients want to share their experiences to help your community bank better serve their needs, so give them a line to do that.  Listen for tips on how.

Topics Include: 

     The difference, and similarities, between marketing and customer experience

     Why you have to do both digital and physical marketing

     Why community banks need to focus on their own brand

     How to connect with the voice of your customers

     How technology can create a better customer experience

     How to create feedback loops at your bank

Joann Marsili, CFMP, is the Executive Vice President, Chief Marketing, and Digital Experience Officer of Fidelity Bank in Leominster, Massachusetts.

With nearly 20 years of banking experience, Joann Marsili’s expertise lies within her ability to successfully align marketing vision with sales execution. Over the years, that means creating strategic relevancy by working to transform the banking environment digitally.

In her current role, she is working to bridge the gap between physical and digital client experiences while helping to build an organization poised to take on the future.

As brand steward, Joann has created and managed programming that helped result in her previous bank being recognized for its client experience. It was named one of Forbes's “Best-In-State Banks" twice, voted “Best Bank” 8 times by regional newspapers, and, while early adoption of social media, was named “Top 50 Community Banks in Social Media" for two years in a row by the Independent Community Bankers Association (ICBA).

Joann takes the time to give back, providing time, talent, and treasure to local, regional, and national causes. Today, she serves on the Board of Directors for Meals on Wheels, NEPA, and has been a part of its fundraising committee since 2015. She's also been appointed for a second time to the Lackawanna County, PA Commission for Women, serves on the Finance Committee of the Maternal and Family Health Services of Northeast PA, and sits on the Advisory Board for the Marketing Steering Committee at the University of Scranton.

Joann is an Advisory Board Member for the American Bankers Association (ABA) School of Bank Marketing and Management, where she’s been an instructor for the “Return on Investment” course since 2016. She graduated from the ABA School of Bank Marketing and proudly maintains her Certified Financial Marketing Professional designation.

She received her undergraduate degree in Broadcast/Speech Communications from Penn State University and her Masters in Business Administration from Wilkes University. 

Resources Mentioned:

     LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joann-marsili-cfmp-6b734a3/

 

11 Nov 2024Ep 72 - The Latest Essentials In Bank Marketing Compliance with Memrie Fortenberry00:35:32

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:

07 Aug 2023Ep 39 - The Importance of Brand Voice00:35:09

A great brand voice has the same effect as a finely-tuned orchestra playing an unforgettable melody. For your bank, this means memorable differentiation from your competitors. Developing your brand voice involves determining the right tone, communication style, and emotions that echo the bank's mission. It’s not just the realm of marketing.  Like creating a great culture, developing a brand’s voice starts from the top of the organization.

 

In this week’s podcast, we share salient advice on striking the right balance – finding the right chord with your chosen target audience without alienating others.  This harmonization creates deeper connections between customers and your bank’s values and culture, hence increasing the customer retention and attraction.

 

In this episode, we talk about:

-       Discovering the critical role of a distinctive brand voice in banking.

-       Gaining insights into why bank executives themselves need to shape their brand voice.

-       Uncovering the power of favoring unique identity over generic descriptions for your bank.

-       Understanding how aligning your brand voice with the desired customer experience can reshape your institution’s public perception.

-       Learning how to set your brand voice apart from competitors to stand out in the industry.

Resources Mentioned:

-       Bank Marketing Minute Newsletter: bankmarketingminute.com

-       Website: The Bank Marketing Show: bankmarketingshow.com

-       For a free guide to creating your brand voice, email: contact@bankmarketingshow.com with Subject Line “Brand Voice”

 

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