With customers being isolated, banks need to shift further to emphasize their digital options and utilize social media and omnichannel outlets to pro-actively engage with clients. It is the perfect time to capitalize on a captive audience. Taking a stronger marketing angle focused around social media and personalization will bode well for banks as people are spending more time than ever on mobile devices, laptops, and TV.
Banks need to take the lead in re-assuring the customer base and asking how they can help in an empathic and personalized way. Help the customers add value to their lives during this time of uncertainty, offering options that make them feel more secure.
The Impact Of The Digital Shift
Customers need personalized messages, not bot-generated emails that are set to blast out to everyone. The bank should be highlighting what is available digitally: payment, mobile deposits, credit lines, and loans. This digital shift will not be a trend, there will be a significant workforce change that will evolve remote work to become permanent, which will, in turn, have a positive impact on the environment and traffic patterns.
Companies must accelerate their digital strategy. Stop the automated sales banners and reassure customers they are looking out for their well-being. Banks can use social media to set up Q&As and engage with people virtually. A banking concierge could offer individualized financial (and possibly even career) planning.
Banks should also look to have a voice from their C-suites, every day, talking about what is happening. Answering questions, giving tips around navigating travel insurance, how to send money to family and friends that are isolated or may be struggling financially, sharing news around what the bank is doing to stabilize, educating people on being aware of fraud and hackers capitalizing on this unprecedented time.
Overall, banks must be empathetic, reassuring, and personal during this uncertain time.
