Industry News

Referral programs increase profitability and customer loyalty in banking
2010-07-30
The idea of a customer referral program is nothing new for the financial industry. But a new study has found that these programs bring measurable results in increased customer loyalty, retention and long-term profitability.

The study, conducted by researchers at the University of Pennsylvania's Wharton School of Business, examined information from 10,000 customers at a German bank that offered 25 Euros for each customer referral.

After looking at 33 months of customer activity, the study found that referred customers were 18 percent more likely to stay with the bank than others, and also generated higher margins during their time as customers. After combining those figures, researchers concluded that customers brought in via referrals were between 16 and 25 percent more valuable to banks.

"That's not only a sizable chunk of money, it also amounts to a 60 percent ROI over six years on the 25 Euros that the bank paid for every referral," Christophe Van den Bulte, a professor of marketing at Wharton, told Knowledge@Wharton, the school's business journal.

By gaining more customer referrals, banks may be able to reverse the trend of reduced customer profitability in the industry. A recent Accenture study found that the majority of FIs had seen reductions in per-customer profits since the recession - in some cases by as much as 15 percent.ADNFCR-3091-ID-19914069-ADNFCR


Recent Marketing Strategy and Planning News

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No matter what the business or how diversified its products and services, all employees need to act collectively toward the common goal of meeting customer needs and ultimately boosting profitability.
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Recent Customer Attrition Retention, and Loyalty News

Two More Words on Client Retention
2011-06-23
For the past couple of months, PNT’s “Industry News” has focused on client retention.
Customer Acquisition and Client Retention: New Banking Regulations Bring Challenges and Opportunity
2011-06-16
Banks face customer exodus! The era of free checking is over! Debit Card interchange revenue to be slashed! New ATM charges loom!

These are among the headlines, somewhat sensationalized, being written about regulatory changes enacted as a part of the recent batch of financial reforms.
Bank Call Centers the Bedrock of Client Service: Retaining Clients One Call at a Time
2011-06-16
When TD Bank designed a new call center in Maine it emphasized a commitment to customer service by installing a 9-ton boulder amid the 60,000-square feet of office space.