Everyone knows that "nice guys finish last." However, as it turns out, everyone was wrong. Scientists at Britain's University of Sunderland and University of Worcester recently conducted a study on whether women are more attracted to good looking men, or those who put the well-being of others ahead of themselves. Specifically, researchers wanted to determine how altruism (the selfless concern for the welfare of others) plays into the choices women make regarding men as they enter into long-term relationships. Women who participated in the study were shown photos of two dozen men of varying degrees of attractiveness. Alongside the photos were notations about the men in various scenarios, from purchasing coffee for a homeless person, to refusing to help someone in need. What scientists found is that women interested in nothing more than short-term flings chose men based solely on their looks. Meanwhile, women seeking long-term relationships sought men who are selfless.
The point that women are ultimately more interested in men with character vs. those with flash, made us think about a recent Gallup poll on banking. Wait, what?
You see, this poll found that customers are happier with their interactions with community banks and credit unions than they are with larger banks. Despite being happier with community banks, however, Gallup found that many customers will still move to larger banks once they have large amounts of financial business.
According to Gallup's findings, 37% of customers who use community banks and 52% of customers of credit unions have an emotional connection to the places where they bank.
In fact, Gallup found that customers see smaller banks as being part of the communities where they are located, which creates a sense of pride. Comparatively, only 17% of the customers of major banking chains have a real connection to their banks.
Despite having stronger ties to community banks, it turns out that once customers begin to build up more significant assets they are more likely to turn to larger banks when seeking advice (for things like retirement, investment products and insurance).
Sadly, some community banks even play a major role in pushing customers toward their biggest rivals here. That's because many have not done a great job of educating clients that your bank provides such services, and that you have way more to offer than just straightforward checking and savings accounts.
To begin fixing this, talk to customers about what you do. After all, Gallup found only 1% of conversations between community banks and their customers involve investment products and only 5% of the conversations mention credit products.
By not taking the time to discuss customers' financial goals with them and failing to mention financial services and products when opportunities arise, community banks are all but handing over customers' business to their larger rivals.
Like it or not, given that the major banking chains have far more money to advertise and a much broader reach, these are the banks that customers tend to think of when it comes to more sophisticated banking services.
As such, remind your customer facing teams to take the time to highlight all of your services and areas of expertise to existing customers. It can translate to new business and be a major factor in maintaining great relationships.
According to Gallup's findings, the high engagement levels that community banks have with their customers means you are able to convert such conversations into business sales 52% of the time. Comparatively, large banks have a 47% conversion rate.
Given this reality, much like women who are happier in long term relationships with men of depth, many customers would be happy to stay with community banks where they have created really strong connections. Keep working on your relationships.