Stress In Banking

Marketing is one of the 'hottest' areas in our institutions. We keep trying to think up new ways of selling our products-new reasons for people to come into our doors, instead of the ones across the street. A small savings bank in New Jersey came up with an extremely innovative idea and said they didn't mind if we passed it on to our readers.

The safe deposit area discovered that they were losing too much money because of empty boxes. So the safe deposit representative started checking the local paper for marriage announcements. If the write-up mentioned the fact that the newlyweds would be living in the area of the savings bank, she sent them a letter of congratulations, and an offer of a free safe deposit box for one year-to hold valuables such as bonds given as gifts, and their marriage certificate.

The usual response would be the couple coming in and opening the box. While they were there they would open their accounts, and she would have an opportunity to talk about investing any leftover wedding gift cash, etc.

Sounds like a safe deposit person who is a real asset to her institution!

Copyright © 1990 Bankers' Hotline. Originally appeared in Bankers' Hotline, Vol. 1, No. 4, 4/90