After a year of formidable industry change, bank merger and acquisition activity is beginning to bounce back.

July’s 19 announced transactions brings this year’s total to 116 deal announcements so far, compared with 111 overall in 2020, according to data from S&P Global Market Intelligence. Financial institutions are looking to make strategic investments; post-pandemic, that means building seamless digital experiences at a lower cost remains a top priority.

This is a prime opportunity for banks to revisit the outdated traditional playbook of converting newly acquired customers. The conventional model of post-M&A communication is packed with marketing jargon like “commitment” and “service,” followed by a barrage of letters that make it difficult for customers to know what to expect from their new financial partner.

The goal of this approach has always been to reduce churn. But it has led to stagnant or low growth in wallet share and overlooked chances to build stronger relationships. One in four customers surveyed by BankingExchange took some form of action due to an acquisition: 5% closed their account, and an additional 22% eventually opened an account with another financial entity. Customers are increasingly willing to bank elsewhere if their financial needs are not being met.

Financial institutions need a new conversion playbook to keep old customers happy and new customers engaged. Banks should look beyond generic tactics and think like brands to make the M&A process smoother. This approach means the institution isn’t thinking about messaging as a box to check, focusing instead on the customer experience and brainstorming fresh and creative ways to communicate. Brand identity and emotion play a critical role in customer retention. According to a Deloitte study, over 35% of respondents who switched banks cited emotional reasons – they felt their bank was too large to care about their financial needs anymore.

Embracing a new acquisition model requires a proactive approach to post-merger communications and strategy. Framing a compelling story, integrating complex technology and bringing together multiple teams is achievable – but takes time and attention to detail.

A Fresh Approach to the M&A Playbook
Post-deal communications require a fresh approach to connecting emotionally and digitally with new customers. Forming deeper connections and reaching new opportunities for growth requires starting with an innovative model that leverages niche-focused products and services to create a greater affinity with the growing customer base.

Although a niche strategy isn’t an entirely new concept, it’s one of the most undervalued assets used by banks today. “Superior customer value occurs when a company can offer either a unique bundle of value, a comparable value at a lower cost than the competition or a combination of differentiated value and low cost,” research shows. Delivering tailored financial products to niche customer segments allows banks to build a brand that appeals to a new category of customers, creating a lasting connection and brand affinity.

Engaging a niche audience doesn’t mean your bank changes its foundation; it means focusing more deeply on an underserved segment of your newly acquired customer base to deliver a more robust and connected experience. Start by identifying these underserved markets with data to determine what opportunities exist. Maybe there’s a high concentration of gig workers who could benefit from new or newly combined digital bank offerings. As the acquiring bank, you could build an experience that meets these needs and the needs of other gig workers in your current customer base and communities.

This is a prime opportunity to jumpstart research, initiate conversations and craft meaningful marketing strategies that will delight your new audience. The standard welcome letter will not generate the same excitement as a bespoke campaign inviting gig workers to take part in building innovative products that will empower them to manage and grow their finances. This proactive approach demonstrates your dedication to providing top-notch customer services and solidifies your commitment to investing in each individual member.

Banks that take advantage of the new growth opportunities in today’s M&A landscape can move to a truly innovative approach that leverages data analytics to identify, differentiate and deliver value, leading to greater affinity and sustainable growth. Banks are poised to foster deeper trust in their new customers by building brands that deliver focused financial services for specific needs, ultimately creating lifetime value.

WRITTEN BY

Allison Netzer