"We've seen significant changes in how people evaluate corporate reputations and the factors they view as most important in shaping their decisions," said Matthew Harrington, president and CEO, Edelman U.S. "Just three years ago, financial performance ranked as the top criterion for all U.S. companies. It now scores at the bottom, replaced by....<< MORE >>

New study finds that that investors perceive small, community banks and well-known mutual fund firms as the most trustworthy among financial services firms.<< MORE >>

The bank that claims to have invented Totally Free Checking puts a halt to the program citing....<< MORE >>

Mortgage rates and service fees show slight upward pressure over last 30 days. All rates show substantial decline over the previous twelve months, as shown in the summary table...<< MORE >>

Losing a customer now, when rates are low, means that the institution will later pay premium rates to regain deposits when the rate environment eventually changes. And history has shown that rates do and will change.<< MORE >>

An update to parable that has been around since marketers first began marketing....<< MORE >>

Five line charts and bar graphs depict national rate averages and fees from year end 2006 through 2009.<< MORE >>

Just how much have rates fallen over the last 12 months? This monthly feature of Bank Marketing News presents the percentage of change over the last month, six months and twelve months for deposit and loan services as well as fees.<< MORE >>

While 70% of consumers pay spend less than $3 per month for checking and ATM fees, 56% pay....<< MORE >>

Survey shows shift in consumer preference away from visiting bank branches.<< MORE >>

comScore Releases Online Credit Card Report: 2009 Edition. The report shows that industry changes have caused many consumers to lose confidence in their issuer and respond by changing behavior as well card issuers. Among survey respondents who have noted changes in card terms within the last year, 55% indicated that they.... << MORE >>

Those with household income of less than $35,000 were most likely to choose increase savings as their top financial goal (39%), a priority for just 26% of households with an income between $75,000 - $100,000. Those in the middle income range....<< MORE >>

Under-performing branches become, at some point, candidates for closure, consolidation or sale. "But there is a fourth alternative," says Tom McGrath, Banking Business Consulting Manager for FIS Consulting. "We call this the ‘Branch Swap’ alternative.”<< MORE >>

The remarkable decline of rates nationally continues, although the rates of decent has slowed considerably. The rate trend for some liquid accounts is flat for the first time in 12 to 13 months. Auto loan rates remain essentially unchanged from the previous month. Even the upward pressure on checking fees and service charges appears to have moderated.<< MORE >>

According to an October 2009 survey, paying ATM fees "angers" more consumers than overdraft fees...adults with children were more likely to incur ATMs fees than.... << MORE >>

Based upon the survey, guidelines for email newsletter marketing would include putting your name in the subject line and keeping the subject line under 35 characters. "The look and feel of the newsletter is the least important determinate of an 'open.' We also found that the preferred frequency of receiving an email newsletter is....<< MORE >>

During their online seminar, Navigate the Changing Tides Impacting Fee Income, strategists Darryl McGee and Heidi Hahn of FIS Business Consulting outlined tactics implemented by FIS clients while adding industry observations and recommendations.<< MORE >>

This chart displays trends for product rates based upon the national average of bank rates. Deposit rates continue a slow decline following significant declines from one year earlier. Service fees continue a slow upward trend. Loan rates continue a slow downward trend.<< MORE >>

BankRate's 2009 Checking Study details the average fees associated with using and maintaining an interest bearing account, including bounced check fees, ATM surcharges, and monthly services fees.<< MORE >>

Rates for deposits as well as loan continue the slow slide down hill. Most fees continue to climb. View chart for more details....<< MORE >>

By lowering fees and easing overdraft policy, banks will certainly gain good will and new marketing angles in which they may promote products and services. Yet, it seems unlikely that banks will forgo any significant amount of income to gain some marketing advantage. Lost profits will need to be regained most likely through....<< MORE >>

One of the key purposes of the study is to better understand who purchases non-qualified annuities and why. The study found that non-qualified annuities are purchased by.... << MORE >>

This link to a flash video explains why Matrix Mail should be an important resource for every financial services marketer. << MORE >>

Advisors Trusted Advisor, a leading practice management resource for financial advisors and wealth managers, recently surveyed financial advisors on the state of their business-building efforts. Survey responses provide an in-depth view into what's working and what's not.<< MORE >>

"The new ads' clever take on ''help' really captures our dedication to continuously delivering better and better customer service. And we know that this is definitely a time when our customers value proactive recommendations and help."<< MORE >>

This study finds that overall credit card customer satisfaction has decreased the lowest level since the study's inception. American Express ranks highest in credit card customer satisfaction for a third consecutive year.<< MORE >>

Headcount reductions in sector nearly complete; 2010 is expected to bring stronger revenue and profitability, but job growth will not immediately follow.<< MORE >>

The largest U.S. credit card issuer is taking aim at American Express by introducing a new card targeting the affluent. << MORE >>

Mortgage rates are falling. The trend for auto loan rates is also downward despite the increased demand brought about by the government's Cash for Clunkers program. Deposit rates are continuing a year-long slide, while upward pressure continues for fees.<< MORE >>

June 22, 2009/CHICAGO:  Seventy-five years ago today, John Dillinger was killed as he left the Biograph Theater in downtown Chicago.  This former "Public Enemy Number One" gain famed for bank robberies.  Today, there are an average of 28 bank robberies each day throughout the United States.  According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the average bank job takes in an average of just $4,300.

  

The table presents rate trends for selected products over the last year, year-to-date and month-to-month. A new study by Market Rates Insight is also discussed. “The question on every banker’s mind is when it comes to rates is - How low can it go?” said Dr. Dan Geller, Executive Vice President at Market Rates Insight. “Estimates are that deposit rates are nearing the point of risk/return equilibrium, which means that....”<< MORE >>

According to the latest research from J.D. Power, consumers when selecting a retail bank place the most importance on the bank's brand image. The top reason for not selecting a bank is....<< MORE >>

Those of us in the community banking part of financial services can play a major role in mitigating the effects on our customer bases and communities if we are willing to take some risks and....<< MORE >>

The rate of personal savings stands at the highest point since....<< MORE >>

The study concluded that more than 25% of recent mortgage defaults could be considered "strategic," rather than....<< MORE >>

Rates continue downward pressure, but most of the adjustments appears to have occurred twelve months earlier. Mortgage rates are on the rise.<< MORE >>

Deposit and loan rates continue to inch downward nationally, with upward pressure on fees. These trends reflect continued concerns over net earnings. << MORE >>

Driven by declines in both satisfaction and brand image, customer commitment to retail banks has decreased in 2009, according to the J.D. Power and Associates 2009 Retail Banking Satisfaction Study(SM) released today. This marks a steady decline in customer commitment since ....<< MORE >>

The third pillar, Know and Trust Proven Creative Techniques, is at the heart of Cuno’s twenty-three Response-Building Secrets. “Because direct mail is so measurable, we have a great idea about what works, and what merely achieves,” stated Cuno. “My response building secrets are based upon what we know works.” These secrets include... << MORE >>

When a customer actually comes in or calls, do you really want your staff to ‘blow it’? These tough times call for every person in retail and in commercial to capitalize – in a soft, consultative way – on every single opportunity. << MORE >>

Five out of six respondents (84%) do not know the current average interest rate on a credit card. << MORE >>

Offering personal finanical management tools such as Free Identity Theft services presents opportunity for cross-sales, customer service.<< MORE >>

Fees continue a slow upward trend with the average Bill Pay service charge up 32% over the last year. Loan rates continue a slow decline, with deposit rates dropping quickly over year-earlier peaks.<< MORE >>

If you are an executive with a financial institution how much time are you spending talking to your employees as well as your member/customer?<< MORE >>

If banks do nothing and just wait for refi orders to roll in, they take a huge risk of losing income that they are currently enjoying.<< MORE >>

Nearly two-thirds of all bank customers could be swayed to leave their institution for another bank...according to Jim Marous of Harland Clarke. Customer engagement encompasses improving account ownership, transactions, visits to the bank, and satisfaction. The goals of engagement include....<< MORE >>

...Services per Household and Accounts per Household, however, can only grow as a result of sales and customer demand. Accounts included in this analysis were limited to deposit and loan products and did not include such services as debit cards and safety deposit boxes. Results (see Table One) indicated that accounts-per household grew, during the 30-month measurement period 288% faster than the control group average. Services-per-household grew at a rate....<< MORE >>

As the attached table indicates, rates as of today to not yet reflect Fed action taken earlier in the week. Mortgage rates, for example, are expected to drop. Otherwise, deposit and loan rates are trending downwards, while fees are trending up.<< MORE >>

Noted James Bond author Raymond Benson offers his take on how to make money in a down economy. Hint: working for SMERSH may be an advantage.<< MORE >>

A recent study found looks do count when it comes to getting a loan. << MORE >>