Is your bank on Twitter?

 I came across this article in Online Banking Review (OBR) which argues that Content generation will play a greater role in website development during the next 12 months as banks strive to show their commitment to customers. This further strengthens my point on the importance of connecting to customers with a blog – other than communication it helps you in generating good content.In world wide web there are n no of ways to produce content and with the concept of social networking there are numerous way to connect with the consumer -

You Tube

Similar article in OBR mentions how Ubank who is using Youtube to launch a channel UBankMoneyBox which presents complex finanical concepts in fun way, a sample video is here explains the credit crunch in fun way  -

Facebook

 Here again U bank has taken a lead and have their presence felt on facebook, sharing youtube videos, conference / event details, marketing their schemes, Awards etc. Articles on finanical management etc etc. This also helps bank in SEO and thus increasing their chances of appearing in search queries. Also worth noticing on the facebook profile the option of contacting customer care through Skype. Then there are various RSS feeds which users can browse through.  In coming days this can possibly replace the usual News / Media link on the website. 

Twitter

Need not say ubank has its presence here too, as mentioned in facebook and youtube profile too – follow ubank on twitter.  Seeing this i searched for other banks on twitter and here are the results -

CommBank - However with no logo of bank and no activity i really doubt that its twitter profile of common wealth bank 

Westpac- Though there is a logo, but this twitter profile is password protected, so cant comment anything. Private profile make sesne if this is supposed to be network of internal employees – but then that’s what we are talking of here. 

Rabobank- Again, something fishy here, with no logo and no posts,  I am sure this isn’t Rabo bank twitter feed.  

with more and more people using these tools, it would be logical step for banks to embrace these technolgoies at least for reaching out people to broadcast messages – No wonder this would help in cutting advertising spend too. 

I would end this with another interesting article on the no of hits analysis for top Direct banking websites which argues that - ‘Young Ambition’ might sound like a cheesy pop group but is actually one of the new demographic segments that could make or break your online success’ 

Clearly UBank is taking a sort of lead in playing around with these new tools and with other banks ready to jump in, it would be interesting space to watch out in 2009. 

Few more interesting experiments in next post….