In Briefs: Obstacles to Bank Sales of Investments

investment products, according to a study by John Hancock Financial Institutions Group.

A survey found that though banks ranked high with consumers on financial stability, ease of doing business, and customer service, only one in five respondents rated banks highly for product variety or innovation.

The findings, released this week, are the result of a telephone survey in April of 638 households with at least $25,000 of investable assets.

The 455 consumers who said they have never bought investment products from a bank most frequently cited investment performance and limited products as the reason.

Products sold through banks were also perceived by nonbank customers as priced higher than those sold by brokerages and mutual funds.

Roughly 25% of consumers who had never invested with a bank said they were happy with their current provider and had no reason to switch.

"Every contact that the customer has with the bank is the chance to deliver the clear message that they can compete with any other financial institution," said Peter Mawn, senior vice president of John Hancock's financial institutions group.

-- Cheryl Winokur

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