What Does The Word ‘Federal’ do for FCUs?
To be a 'federal' credit union is to be blessed in the banking industry. The advantages are plenty, including an easier time with branding.
Articles by Jeffry Pilcher
Freeze! The Cold Hard Facts on Robberies 2006
Here is the FBI’s official data on robberies of financial institutions, including injuries and deaths for 2006. TOTAL NUMBER OF ROBBERIES: 6,985 Bank robberies: 6,154 (88%) Credit union robberies: 521 (7%) Other (e.g., check cashing): 372 (5%) INJURIES: Number of incidents in which injuries occurred: 94 (1.3%) Customer: 17 Employee: 75 Employee Family: 0 Perpetrator: […]
“Win 12x Your Paycheck” Deposit Promo
UAE's National Bank of Dubai's new promo 'Win 12 Times Your Salary' promo could get customers more money in their accounts.
Most Common Words in Credit Union Names
Not every credit union must change their name to stand out, but if you do, here are key words to avoid in the rebrand.
What’s the Deal with Financial Ad Disclosures?*
If an ad has more than 50 words of disclosure, either the offer is too complicated or the compliance folks are overzealous.
Banks, Credit Unions Grapple With Their Monikers
Banks and credit unions shouldn't try and rebrand themselves without external input and consultancy — for multiple reasons.
Umpqua Bank’s Branch of the Future
The much-admired Umpqua Bank has created this fascinating video depicting one possible vision of the (very near?) future of financial services. Take a look: What’s particularly interesting about the video is the absence of narration. It gives the viewer credit, and lets us fill in any missing pieces with our imagination. The video engages you […]
NASCAR Banking: Bank of America’s Latest Marketing Campaign
Affinity products are great to engage people with a financial brand and counteract the dull image associated with the average bank.
Banks: Less Differentiated Than a Bar of Soap
A study found that banks had the least differentiation and soap brands had the most. What's — and whose — to blame?
Green Branch® Is a Federally Registered Trademark
“PNC has more certified green buildings than any company on Earth.” – PNC website Here’s something interesting you might not have heard. In 2008, the U.S. Patent & Trademark Office approved a federal trademark application from PNC Financial Services for the term ‘green branch.’ Reality Check: People are going to use the term “green branch” […]
An Unusual Ad for a Bank
You don't need to speak Indonesian to get engrossed by this ad, which is a cross between Richard Scary illustrations and a Simpson's cartoon.
BofA Execs Create Merger Ballad From U2 Hit
Executives at Bank of America took a stab at U2's hit song 'One' to ring in an internal event. Here's why it works.
‘Servus’ Chosen As Name For Canada’s New Super-CU
Canada's third-largest credit union finally announced its new name: Servus Credit Union. What is the meaning behind the new moniker?
Update: Battle Over ‘Commerce’ Name Heats Up
It’s expensive going to court. If you pick a similar name to another financial institution, you're asking for big legal problems
Mo Banking Knowledge ‘On Your Internets’
Mo Rocca, a comedian and political satirist of some success, plays a man-on-the-street character in one of Bank of America’s latest promotions, “Mo on Banking.” In a series of online videos at a microsite, Mo reports wryly on banking topics, including this tidbit from the intro video: “Join me, Mo Rocca, as I dump a […]
Podcast on Building Financial Brands
The Brand Show turned to banking to decipher what makes a banking brand work. One credit union exec says its about humor and comfort.
Prize increased! Innovative logo for banking products!
The brand design contest at 99designs.com comes with a lofty prize — and the idea is 'reality tv' meets 'logo design'.
Judge Orders Trademark Infringer To Use ‘Negative Keywords’
A little due diligence and a quick search at the USPTO would have saved Orion Residential Finance a lot of pain and a truckload of money.
Facebook + Financial Institution = Friends?
“A buttoned-down organization trying to look hip is like a 50-year-old drunk uncle at a wedding trying to dance with teenagers.” — Charlotte Observer An article in the Sunday edition of the Charlotte Observer entitled “Your Bank Wants to Be Your Friend” takes a skeptical look at financial institutions as they attempt to carve a […]
Casting Call: Credit Union TV Ad Contest Draws 37 Entries
Engaging the public is critical. But, just because a TV spot is popular and wins a vote in a contest doesn’t mean it’s the right spot to run.
‘Rewards Checking’: Bancvue’s Ubiquitous Differentiator
If your banks deploys a Bancvue-style product, please, do yourself a favor and don’t use the generic name, Rewards Checking.
Diamond Deposits: Unibank’s Latest Marketing Campaign
Here’s an interesting idea from Azerbaijan, where Unibank is giving away three 1-carat diamonds every month for a year.