Commercial Innovations Banks Should Copy
December 4, 2015 6:26 PM
Banks have a lot of work to do to modernize branches and keep their technology on par with other businesses' digital tools. Here are some ideas worth borrowing from retailers, restaurants and consumer electronics makers if banks haven't adopted them already, says appointment-software firm Financial Management Solutions.
Location, Location, Location
Clothing stores are using cameras to track interest in items so they know what should be displayed prominently. Banks can use the same sort of technology to optimize the layout of their branches. For instance, they could put complimentary coffee in a high-traffic area.
Related Article:
Beacon Technology
Shoppers who have downloaded the Target app onto their smartphones receive product suggestions and coupons when they are in or near its stores. Banks can use similar technology to personalize branch visits or cross-sell customers while they are standing in teller lines.
Related Article:
Predictive Analytics
When a consumer buys a TV from Amazon, the retailer suggests a wall mount and an HDMI cable. Banks could use the same sort of analytics to identify customers who would more likely be interested in certain products.
Related Article:
Stealing Some Apple Genius
Apple has built goodwill with customers by staffing its in-store"Genius Bars" with highly trained employees. Universal bankers branch employees who can handle most issues for customers could learn a lot from Apple's value-added tech-support service.
Related Article:
Ubiquitous Gadgets
The Chili's restaurant chain has embraced tabletop tablets as a way for diners to order, play games as they wait for fajitas, and pay when they are done. Branch banking is already becoming more automated, but perhaps banks could use tablets to engage customers as they wait to meet with employees.
Related Article:
Pampering Preferred Customers
Hotels and airlines offered their VIPs lots of perks, like priority lines. Bank branches could perhaps benefit from offering "white glove" service to their best clients.
Related Article:
