12 Bank and Credit Union Marketing Ideas You Can Use Right Now!

Bank and Credit Union Marketing Ideas You Can't Pass Up!

Credit unions and community banks offer a frequently lower-cost options for many of the same products offered by larger traditional banks. But despite having more to offer, it's still a struggle to get potential customers in the door.

Get better visibility and grow your membership with these 12 Bank and Credit Union Marketing Ideas!

1) Improve Your SEO

Look beyond just the top-searched keywords. Include local phrases to grow your organic search volume in the communities you serve instead of always trying to compete with nationwide, big banks. SEO goes beyond just keywords, too. Improve your website's structure, domain authority, speed, and content for a bigger impact on your traffic.

2) Run a Member Testimonial Contest

Ask your members to leave a Google review or submit testimonials for a chance to win a prize. These are fun ways to promote member engagement online and you get amazing stories and images from members that you can use in future marketing communications. 

3) Reward Your Members

One of the best ways to pique the interest of both existing and potential members is to offer a rewards program. If your bank or credit union enrolls in a rewards program, your customers will get rewards just for shopping with their debit or credit card. Even when the reward is a relatively small one - for example a few cents off per gallon of gas - people appreciate it. 

4) Referral Programs

Reward your members for referring their friends and family. You'll grow your membership and deepen relationships with your current members when you reward both simply for being a member. Referral program rewards can be cash, rate discounts, gift cards to local businesses, promotional items, and more. Get creative, reward your members, and everyone wins!

5) Educational Content

Offer free financial literacy content in the form of blogs, videos, webinars, or community events. When you help prospective members better themselves, they'll look to you when they're ready for their next loan or account.

6) Host Community Events

Since a community banks and credit unions are built around the local community, a gathering focused on that community can be a great way to build your presence. Consider an annual gathering like a barbecue, a fish fry, or a picnic.

In addition to the great food, arrange for a few fun activities. For example, a jumping castle for the kids and a trivia contest for the adults. Having some branded prizes on hand can make people get involved. After the gathering, they'll be wearing and using items with your credit union's name within the community to build even more community awareness. 

7) Play to the Little Ones

Busy parents who have their kids in tow when they visit the bank or credit union will be especially grateful if you have kid's treats on hand. Consider having a candy option and a non-candy option such as stickers to please even the fussiest small visitors. Don't forget the pets, either: If your drive-up customers have a dog in the car with them, have the tellers offer to send a dog biscuit to their furry friend.

By offering something unique for both parents and pet owners, your financial institution will charm a considerable portion of the community at a minimal financial investment.

We've also seen branches putting up simple selfie walls inside of branches and encouraging people to take pics and tag the you on social media. Also a great marketing idea to help drive organic reach online. 

8) Freebies & Prizes

Surprise random visitors with cash prizes or gift cards as they walk through the branch doors, or offer a small prize to the 100th person to use the drive-through. Word will spread, and the financial investment will be more than worth the huge publicity you'll generate. 

Or, offer something to everyone who visits your branches. Think seasonal food days like ice cream in the summer or candy canes during the holidays. It doesn't have to cost much. Even a small, friendly gesture can go a long way. 

LEARN MORE: 12 Decisive Steps to Grow Your Financial Institution

9) Digital Scavenger Hunt

If your bank or credit union has an active social media presence, why not take advantage of that with a scavenger hunt? Post clues across multiple platforms to send people to various spots on your website. The first person to find everything can be rewarded with a mystery cash prize or some other valuable prize.

Be sure to make sharing and reposts part of the process for the maximum visibility for your credit union. We also ask fun questions with inspiring images and then reply to every single comment in order to drive more organic reach.

10) Street Marketing With Style

Street marketing can be simple. One thing that tends to get a lot of attention: Hidden cash. Consider placing small plastic Easter eggs in well-concealed spots throughout the community. Add some cash, along with a small flyer that prompts the finder to stash that found money in an account at your financial institution. 

11) Give the Drive Through Something Extra

The drive through can be a fun place to mount some unique marketing plans. Consider, for example, hiring a dance troupe to do mini performances for the people waiting in line. You could also have someone in the drive through line wash vehicle windows for waiting customers. It makes the wait a lot more bearable and will get people talking about your financial institution.

12) Get Local Small Businesses Involved 

This is one of our favorites! Collect gift cards from various small businesses in your community and put together a series of 'giveaways' on your Facebook page. Offer one gift card at a time and run each contest for 2-3 days. Or, if you really want to keep things interesting, offer one gift card per day for a week straight.

These tips will help you take your financial institution to the next level in terms of marketing. Want to get even better results from your marketing plan? FI GROW is here to help. Contact Us Today to get a free consultation that includes SEO tips and tricks, Facebook marketing pointers, and tips on getting the best ROI for your marketing dollar.