Raddon Report

2018 was a good year for the economy generally and for the financial services industry.  We experienced reasonably good GDP growth, especially in the second and third quarters, and we spent the entire year at an unemployment rate of 4% or lower.  In the financial services sector, loan growth continued at a strong pace, to the point that many financial institutions are facing liquidity concerns and for the first time in over a decade are engaged in deposit wars.  Earnings also improved for the majority of financial institutions, a result of improving net interest margins helped by four rate

Every year Raddon publishes our set of predictions for the upcoming year.  Many publications offer predictions.  However, we also review the accuracy of our predictions one year later, which makes us somewhat unique in the realm of prognostication. 

Here are the predictions we offered up one year ago, along with an assessment of our foresight. Overall, our crystal ball was fairly clear.

One last time! Following the positive feedback from so many Raddon Report readers on my previous deposit-retention recommendations, I have created a final list of tactics and strategies. I trust you will find value in these ideas as well.

It’s not a Raddon Conference unless data is on the agenda, and the keynote sessions of this conference highlighted the opportunity effective data management can provide. Here are seven key takeaways for financial institutions about big data, artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning.

So many Raddon Report readers appreciated and shared my previous list of steps to retain deposits that I have created a new list of seven tactics and strategies. I hope you will find value in these ideas as well.

November 24 is Small Business Saturday, so now is a good time to recognize the vital force of small businesses for our nation’s economy. Defined by the Small Business Administration (SBA) as having fewer than 500 paid employees, U.S. small businesses employ almost half (48 percent) of the civilian population. These 5.9 million non-sole-proprietorships also are responsible for 41 cents of every dollar earned by American workers. In essence, 40 percent of consumer spending power is a function of small business employment.

A sample of mission statements from banks and credit unions – describing what they are doing today, what their reason is for existing – would reveal some consistent themes. You’d see phrases like “committed to improving the quality of life of the communities we serve,” “helping customers succeed financially” or “delivering superior returns for our employees, customers and shareholders.”

This is the second in a series of articles describing the latest trends and key questions that often arise during the planning sessions we conduct with community financial institution boards and executive teams.

Perhaps the newest concept to emerge forcefully over the past planning cycle is “Data as a Strategy”. 

Raddon research indicates that for customers who are highly-loyal, the attributes associated with the customer experience that are differentiating are those that involve interacting with employees.  The data suggest that these attributes, including employee skill, understanding of products and services, politeness/friendliness, understanding  issues, accuracy and approachability, are all contributing factors to the strong relationship with the highly-loyal segment.