$#*! Bankers Say

This week, I had the privilege to, once again, conduct a customer experience analysis for a client.  This is one of my favorite activities as a consultant.  I get to walk into bank and credit union branches from all over the country and see the very best ... and, unfortunately, the very worst in what our industry has to offer.

Every time we conduct this exercise, I'm shocked by the stuff that comes our of banker's mouths.  We spend so much time training our staff on operational issues that, when they walk onstage with a customer or prospect, that's all they know to talk about.

Here are some examples of $#*! Bankers Say that we've heard when asking for information on checking accounts:

• "We don't have that phone scanning thing for checks, but I think Chase does."
• "We'll have to run you through Chexsystems.  And, if you qualify, we'll tell you what accounts you qualify for." (Not a great way to make a customer feel welcome)
• "We require two forms of ID." (So what)
• "It will cost you $50 to open an account." (They meant the minimum balance to open the account is $50)
• "We have a checking account for seniors." (To an obviously middle aged customer)
• "The brochures are over there." (They point and the conversation's over)
• "Tell me what you want."
• "We have the (XYZ) account, but the fee is..." (or any "But" statement!  Nothing good ever comes out of an employee's mouth after the word, "but.")
• "Our checking account pays interest, but the rate isn't very good." (See?)
• "They have a good online banking system." or "They can open the account." (Like the person doesn't actually work at the bank)
• "Is the checking account for you?" (No, it's a gift!)
• Any personal introduction after the conversation has ended and the customer is walking away.

And my personal favorite...

• "If you'd like to open an account, you can come back and talk to me. (Why not, right NOW?!?!)

To avoid this type of experience, follow a few simple guidelines:

• Find out what the customer needs before you start spewing information.  Ask: Where they bank now, what kind of account they have, how they use it, what they like and don't like about it.
• Make one or two product recommendations based on the customer's answers.
• Focus on benefits.  How will this account make their life easier based on what they said they want.
• Leave fees for the account opening.  Fee disclosure is a regulation, but doesn't need to be used to "sell" a product.
• Don't read the brochure to the customer ... know your products.  It sounds basic, but too many bankers seem to be learning the product while they read the brochure to sell it.  Better yet, every employee should have an account from your institution.
• "Conduct" operations ... don't "discuss" them.  In a restaurant you never hear, "We'll be happy to bring you that steak, but first someone will have to kill a cow."  

And most importantly...

• Treat every customer as if they are a guest in your home!  Don't point ... walk them over, make formal introductions and for goodness sake ...  SHOW SOME PERSONALITY!!!!

For a blog about our customer experience process and more tips, click here.

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Be A Good Host

As I sit here writing the report for a recent competitive shopping report, I thought I'd share some of the "low-lights" and talk about fixing them.

I've done these shops for clients all over the country ... experiencing life as a potential customer who's motivated to switch checking accounts, and the results always amaze me. In every market that I've done this in, from California to Michigan, nearly all of the experiences have been lousy. If I was really in the market for a new checking account, I'd have a hard time finding an institution that I trust. Here are some examples:

• The "Point and Send": When a teller is handing off a prospect to a new accounts rep - or worse yet, simply sending them to a brochure rack, they simply point in the general direction and say "Go there."

The Fix: Whenever possible, the teller or reception person should walk the prospect to the new accounts person ... preferably after introducing themselves and getting the prospect's name and asking a few basic qualifying questions (where they bank now, what kind of checking account they have now, do they use debit/online banking/bill pay) ... and make a personal introduction to the new account rep and explain the situation to the new account staff.

• "Bored Guy in Ties": I walked into an empty branch where almost every office was staffed with a bored looking guy plankly staring at his computer ... I can only assume checking his Facebook account or playing solitaire.

The Fix: They could have been doing ANYTHING productive: writing personal, handwritten "Thank You" notes to new accounts, conducting random account reviews then making outbound calls with recommendations to top customers with suggestions for products that may help them ... anything!

• The "Product Puke": This is my favorite and most common. When the prospect says that they are interested in checking and the teller or new accounts person READS from a sales brochure literally every account with fees and features. I've had folks talk to me about 50+ accounts (and I'm only 38!!!)

The Fix: This ONLY happens when your staff doesn't ask qualifying questions. First find out how the prospect uses their checking (average balance, access needs, etc.) and make a recommendation based on their answers.

The bottom line here is simple:

Treat every customer as you would treat a guest in your home.

• Shake their hand and welcome them
• Introduce yourself and others
• Never "Point and Send" - escort them from place to place
• Offer a drink of water or coffee if they are sitting to talk to new accounts
• Find out what they need and make a recommendation - you are the expert!
• When they are leaving, walk them to the door and thank them for coming in

These basic - common sense - acts will certainly make you stad out from anyone else in your market.

Take care and Happy Veteran's Day,

Eric