Published Articles
Top reasons why customers switch banks
Bank Administration Institute (BAI), May 2, 2022
"You work hard to bring in new customers and build relationships, but are you able to effectively manage attrition? Do you have insights into some of the real reasons customers ditch your bank and switch to another?" Read more
Why video is an especially potent tactic for bank marketers
ABA Bank Marketing, January 11, 2022
"Video has become invaluable in executing messages and generating ROI. It is the most efficient and consumer-friendly way to build brand value and image, to position products and services and to create a sense of personal connection." Read more
How Segmentation Drives Effective Marketing Strategy for Banks
ABA Bank Marketing, January 11, 2022
"Are your customers and prospects more interested in feature-rich products, the best rates or the lowest fees? Or are they driven more by high-quality personal service? Truth is, it’s not an either/or scenario." Read more
Protecting Your M&A Investment with Smart Communications
ABA Bank Marketing, November 23, 2021
"If your bank’s expansion and growth strategy includes M&A, you are undoubtedly evaluating a number of opportunities, based on many considerations. First and foremost, the deal has to make sense financially—to the shareholders, the board and other stakeholders..." Read more
Making Employees Effective Messengers During M&A
ABA Bank Marketing, June 15, 2021
"It is critical to develop a comprehensive internal communications plan. Well-informed employees, at both the acquired and acquiring banks, represent an essential ingredient in the success of the integration." Read more
5 Competitive Lessons Credit Unions Can Teach Banks
The Financial Brand, April 6, 2021
"Looking for new insights into increasing your bank’s share of wallet and customer satisfaction? It might be worth taking a good look at the way many credit unions operate." Read more
LIBOR phaseout: Will your communication plan be ready?
Bank Administration Institute (BAI), January 21, 2021
"The phaseout of the London Interbank Offered Rate (LIBOR) as a benchmark interest rate must be completed by the end of 2021... Your project team needs to identify, measure, monitor and manage all financial and non-financial risks of the transition to whatever replaces LIBOR." Read more
How Banks Become Better Marketing Agency Clients
ABA Bank Marketing, January 19, 2021
"By becoming a better client and working closely with your agency, your bank can conquer any communication challenge. Here are some smart ideas and constructive habits you can adopt to strengthen your bank’s relationship with your marketing agency..." Read more
5 Best Practices When Marketing Banking Mergers
The Financial Brand, December 22, 2020
"Communicating the benefits of a financial institution merger to key stakeholders begins with the announcement of the deal but goes on even after the combination is completed." Read more
Developing competitive points of difference in a parity business
Bank Administration Institute (BAI), October 15, 2020
"Over the past few decades, banks have moved away from a strictly transactional business model in favor of a more of the high-touch, solutions-driven approach to service that today’s customers clearly want. But the result is a marketplace where every bank in America seems to be making some variant of the same basic promises." Read more
MKP communications inc. names Maxwell Chalkin Chief Digital Officer
PR Web (MKP Press Release), October 14, 2020
"As a company that has had more than 26 years of success in helping banks with a wide variety of customer communications, this is the next logical step in the continued evolution of our company." Read more
A Picture is Worth a Million Bucks: Improving Photography in Financial Marketing
ABA Bank Marketing, October 6, 2020
"For bank marketers, the challenge of selecting photos is perhaps more complicated as bank products are obviously less visual. You can’t show a picture of a person with a savings account the same way you can show a person on a bicycle, if your product is bicycles." Read more
Financial Institutions Should Be Getting Their Marketing Game On
The Financial Brand, June 12, 2020
"As the coronavirus recession grinds on, institutions that don't build a reputation for nimble service will watch loyalty erode among consumers and businesses. Institutions that deliver and promote timely help will welcome them aboard and prosper." Read more
For a More Effective COVID-19 Response, Let Your Brand be Your Guide
ABA Bank Marketing, April 14, 2020
"In these strange, unsettling times, it might seem a little frivolous to suggest taking a moment to view the coronavirus pandemic through the lens of your bank’s brand. But actually, just the opposite is true." Read more
Financial Marketers Need Nimble Game Plans for COVID-19 World
The Financial Brand, April 2, 2020
"Wherever your institution is on the coronavirus crisis curve there will be communications decisions demanding tact, judgment and creativity. Everything must be run through a cautious filter to keep channels open so bank and credit union messages are heard." Read more
A New Take on Customer Referral Programs
ABA Bank Marketing, January 29, 2020
"In bank marketing, what’s old can often become new again. Take an idea that stretches way back to the era of free toaster giveaways, one that may now be poised for a major comeback: the customer referral program." Read more
Compliance Letters as a Marketing Tool
ABA Bank Marketing, September 18, 2019
"As a bank marketer, you’ve probably noticed that compliance-related assignments have taken up a fair share of your bandwidth in recent years… Don’t underestimate the importance of these communications, or the opportunity they present..." Read more
What would a Bank of Amazon look like?
Bank Administration Institute (BAI), July 29, 2019
"An Amazon Bank would more than likely refer customers to a customer service megacenter... Do you want to bank where you also can buy a garden hose and socks, or do you want to bank with a bank?" Read more
Walking the Walk of Customer Advocacy
ABA Bank Marketing, June 26, 2019
"In case you haven’t noticed, it’s a tough climate for building brand loyalty in the financial industry these days. Emerging technologies and shifting paradigms are changing the way people bank..." Read more
M&A Communications: Start Planning Early
ABA Bank Marketing, May 7, 2019
"You’ve gone through the due diligence. You’ve made a deal. You’re acquiring another bank... Here are a few steps you should take right at the start that will go a long way toward creating the best customer experience and optimizing the positive effects of your acquisition..." Read more
Post-Merger Communications
ABA Banking Journal, January 26, 2018
"...it’s what happens in the days post-conversion, after customers have migrated to their new accounts and the first statements have arrived, that may matter most in the long-term success of your acquisition." Read more
6 Tips for Change Communications
ABA Banking Journal, November 17, 2017
"Your call center is quiet… and that’s a good thing." Read more
Start making your promotions SHOUT!
ABA Banking Journal, September 22, 2017
"Running a promotion in today’s super-saturated media environment can be a tough challenge. It’s like trying to have a conversation in the middle of a big, loud party." Read more
Angling for commercial prospects
ABA Banking Journal, July 18, 2017
"Use this strategy to increase your catch in the commercial marketplace." Read more
Sharpen your commercial communications
ABA Banking Journal, April 14, 2017
"It’s difficult to know what will motivate an individual commercial customer or prospect. Is it price? Is it service? Is it credit availability? Is it reliability?" Read more
Beyond Philanthropy: Lessons in Cause Marketing
The Financial Brand, September 8, 2016
"Being community-minded with hyper-local cause marketing is something financial institutions of any size can and should do effectively." Read more
Not the kitchen sink
ABA Banking Journal, April 14, 2016
"...please, not the kitchen sink! If I had to name one pivotal lesson that applies universally to banks large and small, it’s this: simplicity and consistency are the keys to getting your message across." Read more
Hyper local marketing
ABA Banking Journal, February 26, 2016
"Use the latest generation of hyperlocal marketing tactics to focus on forging stronger bonds with your customers and your best prospects." Read more
4 ways to keep customers loyal
ABA Banking Journal, February 11, 2016
"Keeping customers happy, loyal and committed is a lot less expensive than replacing them with new ones." Read more
5 keys to developing successful merger communications
ABA Banking Journal, November 6, 2015
"You’re required by law to give customers advance notice of changes to their accounts. Since it’s a legal mandate, the temptation may be to provide only bare bones change information. Our advice is simple: don’t do it." Read more
No news is bad news: Why being upfront with employees is key to good morale
Small Business Community, Bank of America, March 11, 2013
"When small business owner Hillary Kelbick co-founded MKP Communications, a financial services marketing-firm based in New York City, 18 years ago, one of her key goals was to treat her employees with dignity and respect." Read more