The Financial Brand: 4 Essentials for a Successful Digital Niche Banking Strategy
by James Robert Lay on May 10, 2022
In stark contrast to the traditional approach to banking — geographic market focus and undifferentiated products — there is now a niche market for nearly every business and demographic. To capitalize on the opportunity, banks must find the right segment, features and technology to suc …
The Financial Brand: What Relationship Banking Should Look Like in 2022
by James Robert Lay on December 9, 2021
Handling more and more transactions on an app makes banking impersonal. Yet easy-to-use technology is now a customer expectation. Banks and credit unions that rethink their ideas of partnering with fintechs, while also maintaining the human touch that all businesses still need, will f …
The Financial Brand: What Does Banking Need More: Customer Experience or Product Innovation?
by James Robert Lay on November 22, 2021
If retail banking products are a commodity then product innovation would seem to have the clear edge. Don't be too quick to decide, however. Four retail banking and marketing experts debate the merits and roles of CX and product innovation in shaping banking's future.
Lumin Digital: Your Bank’s Digital Transformation: What to Know Before You Get Started
by James Robert Lay on October 5, 2021
There’s no time like the present to go digital. With new entrants in the challenger bank, neo bank, and fintech categories, the financial services ecosystem is more competitive than ever before. These alternative banks comprise part of the digital finance transformation, creating new …
Catalyst News: James Robert Lay: Pandemic Digital Transformation Was ‘Just a Warmup’
by James Robert Lay on August 4, 2021
You think digital transformation was rapid during the COVID-19 pandemic? That was just a warmup for the future, according to James Robert Lay, a digital marketing strategist slated to present insights on the “Rise of Self-Service Banking” at Catalyst Corporate’s 2021 Economic & Pa …
The Financial Brand: 5 Ways to Ensure Your Banking Website Works in a Digital-First Economy
by James Robert Lay on July 13, 2021
Some institutions still basically run 'digital brochure' websites when advanced players are incorporating video and other leading-edge techniques. Want to know what works and what's a turnoff? Try asking some consumers.
The Financial Brand: How Big Do Credit Unions Have to Be to Survive?
by James Robert Lay on April 5, 2021
With two thirds of all credit unions at less than $100 million in assets, concerns are growing that competitive forces – dominant megabanks, the rapid uptake of digital banking, fintech inroads, low rates and more – could result in massive consolidation. Several industry experts and l …
The Financial Brand: Key Factors Separating Digital Banking Winners From Losers
by James Robert Lay on January 18, 2021
The pandemic sharply skewed new account growth away from community institutions. Yet the full story has not played out. There are threats and opportunities for all sectors of the industry. The most important elements for success in a pandemic-influenced digital world are explored here …
The Fintech Times: The COVID-19 Effect
by James Robert Lay on December 13, 2020
The coronavirus is the great catalyst to transform banking for good. It has completely changed our lives forever. And change for many is hard because change feels uncomfortable, not to mention scary, as change forces us to move outside of our comfort zones and leave our caves of compl …
CUES: Build Trust In A Digital-First World Through StorySelling
by James Robert Lay on December 7, 2020
Make your members the heroes of your credit union’s marketing and not the other way around.