Aussie banker caught on TV ogling semi-nude pics
Feb 8, 2010- See how a live TV interview turned into a PR tornado for Macquarie Bank, watch the YouTube video that has already been viewed 3 million times, and see how rival HSBC responded. READ MORE
What Gen-Y knows about financial institutions
Feb 4, 2010 – If you want to know how Gen-Y feels about banking and financial institutions, just ask them. That’s what these three vendors in the financial industry did. They grabbed their cameras and hit the streets. WATCH VIDEOS
Whack a Fee, Bingo Credit, Praise Singer, More…
Feb 3, 2010 – Here’s a creative showcase of financial marketing materials from banks and credit unions around the world — 13 projects and over 20 photos and illustrations. SEE SHOWCASE
ANZ’s ‘uncomplicated’ brand strategy
Feb 2, 2010 – Australian banking giant ANZ felt its brand was fragmented and inconsistent across 32 different countries, so it’s pouring $15 million into a new brand strategy and identity that “uncomplicates” things. READ MORE
What does the iPad mean to financial marketers?
Feb 1, 2010 – For most financial marketers, Apple’s iPad is only going to have limited potential…and not much else. READ MORE
DVD: Deterring & Responding to Robberies
Feb 1, 2010 – Convicted-bank-robber-turned-branch-security-expert Troy Evans shares his knowledge, advice and insights on branch security in this 45-minute training video. READ MORE
In Brief: Deposits grow, Loans 2.0, ‘Savers Tweetup,’ more…
The first time U.S. big banks grow deposits since 2005… Lenders use Web 2.0 social networks to evaluate borrower’s credit worthiness… A credit union is hiring a ‘Director of Brand Innovation’… 27 CIBC employees tell what they did… ING DIRECT hosting ‘Savers Tweetup’ in Chicago… And more… READ BRIEFS
Rebranding United Heritage Credit Union’s identity
The credit union’s brand image was “disjointed and lacked credibility,” according to the agency that came up with the new visual look. Article includes 21 photos and illustrations. SEE MORE
Your brand isn’t what you say it is
You can have a brand strategy, ads on TV and radio with a snazzy slogan, but it’s all meaningless if the actual experiences you deliver don’t align with your brand’s messages. READ ARTICLE
Can credit unions afford a national campaign?
If credit unions put 5% of their marketing budgets towards a national campaign, they could build a $50 million war chest…but they probably won’t. READ ARTICLE
GEICO’s crazy ad strategy breaks the rules
The insurance giant runs 6 different ad campaigns concurrently, each with its own unique tone, style, flavor and message. Branding experts say this shouldn’t work, but what do you think? READ ARTICLE
Addison Avenue + Wesabe Groups = PFM + Online Q&A
Addison Avenue Credit Union partnered with personal financial management firm Wesabe to create an online initiative where people can answer each other’s questions and offer advice. READ MORE
Umpqua unveils new ‘neighborhood store’
Umpqua Bank opened its first neighborhood “boutique store” last month, a 1,385-square-foot branch offering “banking, innovation and a place to connect with the community.” SEE BRANCH
From the editor: Please welcome our 2010 sponsors
The Financial Brand is honored to welcome three annual sponsors as advertisers here on the website in 2010. Please extend a warm welcome to L9, Momentum and Weber Marketing Group. LEARN MORE
Sustaining social media success with marketing muscle
American Express is doing something you don’t see often (if ever): ads for its social media project 6 months after it was launched. See how they are keeping their ‘OPEN’ forum open. READ MORE
Analysis of financial name changes in 2009
In no other industry do companies voluntarily choose to change names as often as banks and credit unions. Here is a review of some recent name changes in the financial industry. READ REVIEWS
ING Direct’s ‘Planet Orange’
ING’s Planet Orange website is 180° from the dull, dry financial education programs most financial institutions offer. It gives kids a truly engaging and entertaining way to learn about money. READ REVIEW
Why social media is a fulltime job
Many financial institutions delving into social media simply shovel the additional workload onto the marketing department. But you can’t just put a few hours into it and expect any kind of success. READ MORE
12 technology trends shaping financial marketing
Here are some of the major innovations and significant online/technology trends that financial marketers should watch in the coming years. SEE THE LIST
Portfolio: Marshmellow rocks, Swap a Solid, Mr. HIV
Union Bank is as solid as a “marshmellow.” • An excellent elevator ad. • Suntrust wants you to “Swap a Solid.” • Standard Bank makes a mini-movie with Mr. HIV, and much more… SEE THE WORK
‘Find Me a Banker’: Like Match.com for banking?
The site includes profiles of Bank of Utah’s business bankers, listing basic experience, areas of specialty and contact information. There are also personal factoids about family life, hobbies and interesting “fun facts.” READ MORE
Westpac resurrecting dead brand for online direct arm?
A big Aussie bank’s plans to revive and relaunch a dead brand as on online internet direct bank raises a lot of big questions. READ ARTICLE
The Top 10 Most Popular Stories in 2009
Articles about Virgin launching a bank, a scare over a credit union junket to St. Kitts, a bank robber’s branch security insights and Twitter top the list of most viewed stories here at The Financial Brand. SEE THE LIST
Fighting axe grinders and their online vendettas
Someone is pissed off at your financial institution, so they launch a hard-hitting online vendetta against you. How do you respond? And can you prevent this in the first place? READ MORE
Introducing The Financial Brand’s ‘Bookstore’
The new Bookstore (link in the main sidebar) includes over 100+ titles recommended by The Financial Brand, hand-picked specifically for financial marketers. LEARN MORE
The ad Ally would run if it was really honest
Ally Bank claims “talking straight” is at the heart of the its brand. If that’s the case, then they should run this ad, created by The Financial Brand, about their latest $3.8 billion U.S. Treasury infusion. SEE AD
San Diego County Credit Union Poinsettia Bowl?
People have called it “the least catchiest name in sports” or the “grand champion for worst bowl name ever.” No one likes this name of this bowl game, but is the publicity good, no matter what? READ MORE
Members help members in USAA’s online forum
At its website, USAA is letting members ask and answer questions, share their banking experiences with one another, and rate/review the company’s products. READ MORE
Commerzbank blends brands following merger
After a merger in Germany, two banks preserve elements of their respective identities in a new logo that blends bits of both. SEE LOGOS
Creative Showcase: Branches from Brand Partners
A showcase of breakthrough RETAIL BRANCHES from the financial merchandising experts at Brand Partners. SEE BRANCHES
Aussie bank slips on banana analogy
In an attempt to justify a mortgage rate hike, Westpac Bank created a 3-minute video drawing an analogy between the worldwide financial crisis and a storm that devastates a crop of bananas. But Australians aren’t swallowing it. READ ARTICLE
Guam credit union becomes Coast360
After reviewing over 70 possibilities, Guam Employees Federal Credit Union (or GEFCU) chose to shorten its name to Coast360. READ ARTICLE
‘Simon’ says… check out this branded intranet
A creative — and branded — employee intranet, affectionately named “Simon” is also a full-fledged internal mascot. READ INTERVIEW
Q&A: Verity Credit Union’s mommy blogger
Verity has recruited a mom to be the credit union’s paid, part-time blogger, using blogs, YouTube, Twitter and Facebook to share thoughts on personal finance matters. READ INTERVIEW
Servus looks to ‘Cash In’ with TV commercial contest
If you’ve ever thought about hosting a make-your-own-TV-commercial contest, this Canadian credit union’s promo can probably teach you a thing or two. SEE PROMO