Financial institutions need to take cues from the evolving preferences of their branch visitors and create a branch format and strategy that creates a competitive edge. Get the full story on where branching trends are headed by reading Branch of the Future.

How does your Innovation Profile help your financial institution succeed?

Success in this rapidly changing economy will require embracing new ways of thinking, reaching for unexpected ideas that are truly exceptional.

Understanding your Innovation Profile will have a big impact on the success of your institution.

Get your profile now, just by taking part in a brief 2-minute questionnaire.

Are your branches ready to compete effectively for deposits?

Branches popped up across the country at staggering rates in the past 5 years – up to 6 branches a day according to one AP study. In some markets there are bank and credit union branches on every corner. And now, in today's financial crunch, it's painfully evident that every single one of them is chasing the same deposit dollars.

Now that the expansion frenzy has slowed, smart financial institutions are looking around and asking themselves, "Why would someone choose my branch over the others?" It's a simple question, but everything makes a difference when battling for deposits and market share.

Are your branches ready to compete effectively? Take this quick 10 question survey to find out.

Community Connections

Everyone is trying to work the "community" angle as a way to gain market share, but are you really tied into the local area? If so, here are 5 ways to use your community connections to drive profits.

The Best Decisions are Informed Ones

Whether you have 5 or 500 branches you can't be at all of them at once—or remember the important details about each of them. Arm yourself with the information you need. Find out how conducting an analysis of your network will put you on the path to success.

Establish Brand Consistency

To earn credibility with consumers — vital in these uncertain times — it's important to establish standards for consistently delivering a branded experience across your network

Drive Traffic to Your Branch with Dynamic Window Displays

It‘s easy to get caught up in focusing solely on traditional marketing channels. It‘s critical not overlook key areas that could deliver the biggest bang for your buck, though, like your branch and headquarters windows.

What Matters Most

At American Bankers' recent Best Practices in Retail Financial Services Symposium, top executives from financial institutions nationwide placed a razor sharp focus on the urgent matter at hand; how to help their institutions survive today's volatile economic climate.

Renovating, the Bottom Line

Despite the prevalence of alternative banking channels, the physical branch is still the clear preference for opening new accounts and expanding relationships. With consumer confidence at historic lows, the branch environment is more critical than ever in the waging battle for high-value customers.

Point of Sale Marketing

At its best P-O-S marketing can leave an indelible mark on your customers, capitalizing on their hopes and dreams and compelling them to make purchase decisions they wouldn't have made otherwise.

Creating Loyal Customers

Companies with the strongest brands are the ones that evoke emotion, expectation and association. Climb onto a Harley or see (and hear) one go roaring by and the sense of power and raw attitude is unmistakable. Plug those distinctive white ear buds into your ears when you bop along to your iPod and you can't help but feel young, hip and "with it." These brands are authentic and stand for something. They are exactly who they say they are and you believe it without a doubt because every single aspect of those brands consistently reflects their brand promise.

Close the Back Door

In today's competitive environment, efforts to keep the customer should be as well planned as programs designed to attract them in the first place. The best way to improve the probability of loyalty is by increasing the depth of the relationship.

Surprise & Delight

Expressing your brand personality to connect with customers, and most importantly to Surprise and Delight them will create the brand affinity needed to tell others about. Think of the last WOW moment you had at a retailer or restaurant you visited—something you didn't expect but made your experience more memorable. Did you tell anyone about it? Chances are you did.

Authenticity & Relevancy

Authenticity and relevancy are the driving forces behind most of today's purchasing decisions. No longer are the availability of goods, or the quality of service enough to gain and maintain market share.

Atmosphere & Attitude

Much has been written on the topics of engagement and experience in the retail environment. However, in this edition of RETAIL READY we take a look at the basic fundamentals needed to create an environment conducive to great experiences.

RETAIL READY is a periodic look at developments and strategies influencing financial institutions and their retail networks. BrandPartners has been creating retail ready branded environments for our clients for 25 years.

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