The Financial Brand

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Community banks are getting creative in the battle for deposits. Here's how they're building relationships to win: Networking power: Bridgewater Bank hosts events to connect business customers. As CDO Lisa Salazar notes, "It is not an accident that many of our new clients come to Bridgewater through referrals." Banking on education: Paducah Bank focuses on staff training. Terry Bradley, CDO, emphasizes: "By emphasizing the features and benefits of our products and services, we enable our staff to grasp their purpose and the value they bring to our clients." Niche targeting: INSBANK operates specialized online divisions. CDO Andrew Smith shares their strategy: "INSBANK has developed products and services that support the unique needs of businesses and consumers for whom larger financial institutions have difficulty delivering quality services." The common thread? Relationship banking. As Bradley puts it: "It's never about rates." These community banks are proving that personalized service and deep customer understanding can be powerful weapons in the deposit war. How is your institution innovating to attract and retain deposits?

Picture this: A world where ChatGPT and Microsoft Copilot handle customer inquiries with ease, freeing up human agents for complex issues. Sounds perfect, right? Not so fast. For banks and credit unions, the allure of generic AI tools comes with hidden risks. High costs, data vulnerabilities, and the notorious "hallucinations" of AI could spell disaster in the highly regulated world of finance. Enter the era of "Shadow AI" — the new "Shadow IT." Employees are already using unapproved AI tools for financial tasks, potentially exposing sensitive data and compromising compliance. But there's hope on the horizon. Purpose-built AI for finance is emerging as the beacon of true innovation and regulatory compliance. As our expert puts it, "Tools built to meet everyone's needs typically meet those of no one." Generic AI simply can't cut it in the nuanced world of banking. So, what's a forward-thinking financial institution to do?

Happening today at 2pm EST — Reaching the Digital Consumer: Strategies for Fragmented Digital Journeys in Banking & Financial Services Join Aditya Saxena from iQuanti and Amy Radin from Columbia University, for this webinar as they share insights on evolution of multi-platform digital consumer journeys and implications for marketing strategy. They will explore product discovery options and the importance of creating brand presence across digital touchpoints.

As digital threats continue to evolve, it’s essential to take preemptive measures that protect your business and members from fraud. Strengthen your financial institution's defense strategy and download the white paper to learn more.

Is your personal data determining the prices you pay? The FTC is digging deep into "surveillance pricing" – a practice where companies use AI and consumer data to set individualized prices. The agency has launched a major probe, targeting 8 firms including JPMorgan Chase and Mastercard, to investigate this "shadowy ecosystem of pricing middlemen." But how do consumers feel? A recent Consumer Reports survey found that 47% strongly oppose personalized pricing and only 7% support the practice. "The old idiom is that every man has his price. But that's literally true now, much more than you know, and it's certainly the plan for the future," warns David Dayen of The American Prospect. As AI and data analytics reshape pricing strategies, the line between personalization and privacy invasion blurs. What's your take on this evolving landscape?

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Three quarters of new AmEx Platinum and Gold customers in the U.S. are now from Gen Z and millennials. How did this 173-year-old company capture the hearts (and wallets) of young spenders? By reimagining what a credit card can offer: - Curated experiences beyond traditional rewards - Travel perks that speak to wanderlust - Partnerships with brands like Uber, Disney+, and Resy - A robust digital platform that meets tech-savvy expectations "Experiences are at the heart of what millennials and Gen Z care about," says Howard Grosfield, president of U.S. consumer services at AmEx. "We elevate great payment products with Membership Services that connect people to what they love." But it's not just about perks. AmEx has cracked the code on speaking Gen Z's language. As Amanda L. Swanson, IMC M.S. of Cornerstone Advisors notes, "They're reimagining their language to really speak to the consumers; they aren't speaking in bank terms." What can other financial institutions learn from AmEx's success?

Why is U.S. adoption of instant payments moving so slowly? It has already been a year since FedNow's launch, but the instant payments game is still in its early innings. While 900+ institutions have signed up, over half are in receive-only mode. The challenge? Getting more senders on board. "We have a long way to go," says Peter Davey, venture partner at Alloy Labs Alliance. "Many institutions still have to come up with faucets for the water lines." The slow adoption isn't surprising to some. As Trevor Nies of Adyen notes, "How often is a brand-new payment infrastructure introduced in the United States? It's pretty rare." But others argue that now is the time for financial institutions to step up. Peter Tapling, APRP of PTap Advisory warns: "If banks only ever did things that people were asking for, we'd still be exchanging shells on the beach." What's next for instant payments in the U.S.? Will we see a surge in adoption, or will progress remain gradual?

"Can I trust this bank with my financial future?" 🏦💡 This simple yet profound question is reshaping banking. As digital transactions soar, customers are looking beyond interest rates and convenience. The trust gap is real: 90% of business executives believe customers highly trust their business, but only 30% of customers actually do, finds Rivel Banking Research. Building trust through transparency is key, using assets like clear fee structures, straightforward account terms, easy-to-understand loan disclosures and proactive alerts for potential charges. In banking, trust isn't just an asset — it's the foundation of lasting success.