4 “Outside the Box” Marketing Ideas for Credit Unions or Banks
Marketing in financial services can be fun too! We’ve put together this list of 4 “outside the box” marketing ideas ideal for credit unions or banks.
1. Spruce Up Your ATM Receipts
ATM receipts are a blank canvas’ waiting to be filled! Some look at an ATM receipt as a mundane object, but it doesn’t have to be it can be a holiday greeting, fun joke, cartoon, and so much more. Few have done so, but our favorite example is the HSBC and their printing of origami instructions on the back of their receipts. By providing a little something extra and fun, customers may opt more to come to branch-run ATMs and share the experience with friends and family!
Source: TheFinancialBrand.com
2. Hold a Dorm Room Makeover Contest
A dorm room makeover contest is a great way to promote student-related products such as student loans or student banking accounts. A good time to run this initiative would be a month or two before the Fall (August/September start) or Spring semester (December/January start). Some students enter, take out new loans, and start classes at these two different points in the year.
Strategically this can serve several business objectives such as increasing student loan accounts, promoting automatic payment methods, opening new bank accounts, or driving brand awareness. This idea targets a specific segment of those 18-25 in college earning a degree and (presumably) a higher income after graduation. The natural feel of this campaign does not compromise the “hip” brand messages other banks have attempted to attract these specific customers.
3. Use Toy Displays to Sell Loan Products
This idea is relatively straightforward and can be a cost-effective way to create buzz around a specific loan product. Town & Country Credit Union (below) picked up a toy car from a secondhand store and put it in the parking lot next to a copy of their current rates. You can either buy one from a secondhand store or pick one up at a local toy store or partner with them for a cross-promotion. Another variation could include a toy dollhouse to promote mortgage loans or home equity loan rates placed in approved high traffic public places. To secure the toy to your desired location, we recommend chaining it down via a bolt in concrete or other secure methods, depending on the environment.
Source: TheFinancialBrand.com
4. Celebrate the Season with Special Promotions
Timing can be everything when it comes to marketing; that’s why holiday promotions to celebrate a current or upcoming season are a must for any credit union or bank. The easiest way to do this is through messaging, such as low interest on a Visa Card for the back-to-school season, a personal loan special for a holiday vacation, or even an offering of a holiday club savings account in the early Fall, for those planning for the next year already.
Using this type of messaging and special promotional rates opens the door for more personal client conversations and new and relevant content to be shared with them. Some outside the box content can include back-to-school savings tips, the best holiday vacations of the year, or tips for creating a holiday budget so they can get the most out of that holiday club savings account!
Are you interested in developing a fun marketing strategy for your credit union or bank?
Strategis is a full-service marketing agency developing strategies proven to increase the (ROI) through a wide range of methods. Contact us today!
