HCI Membership Success
For small community banks like Farmers Savings Bank & Trust (FSB) located in Traer, Iowa, maintaining loyal customers is essential to business. In order to develop the consumer trust needed to keep customers coming back, FSB knew they needed a targeted marketing plan to reach its target audience of people 55 and older. To build those strong customer relationships, the bank turned to Heritage Clubs International.
For more than 30 years, Heritage Clubs International (HCI)has been offering targeted marketing solutions for community banks interested in building new customer relationships, solidifying existing relationships and building core deposits. Aside from enabling community banks to offer qualifying customers special rewards and service, Heritage Clubs is also an informational, educational and professional resource for its members. In 1998, FSB joined Heritage Clubs in an effort to stand apart from the competition and increase customer loyalty. For Cindy Blaine, Heritage Club Director for Farmers Savings Bank & Trust, the membership has been a worthwhile investment.
Since the bank joined Heritage Clubs, Blaine has regularly attended the HCI annual Peer Group Conference, which brings club directors together for a series of educational seminars and idea-exchanging opportunities. The tips and ideas brought forth at each conference has been an invaluable tool for Blaine.
“Each year the conference gets better and better,” Blaine said. “Aside from the great guest speakers that provide insightful marketing tools to better reach our market, the opportunity to meet and share ideas with other club directors has been invaluable. The camaraderie felt at the conference leaves you coming back feeling rejuvenated.”
Since joining Heritage Clubs, Blaine has seen a significant increase in the bank’s customers and core deposits. In fact, Blaine’s Heritage Club customers represent half of FSB’s total deposits.
“I think the attention they receive with the Heritage Club makes customers more loyal,” Blaine said. “I’ve had a couple of customers tell me they will only bank with our bank because of the Club. In fact, this year a new community bank has opened, but I don’t think many of our current customers will be switching to the competition because we’ve established that loyalty.”
More Case Studies of Current Bank Club members:
First National Banking Co_Ash Flat, AR - Ruth Rogers, Director HCI_Case_Study_First_National_Bank_Co_Ash_Flat_AR_Ruth_Rogers.pdf
Iowa Trust and Savings Bank_Centerville, IA - Lois Reynolds, Director HCI_Case_Study_Iowa_Trust_and_Savings_Bank_Centerville_IA_Lois_Reynolds.pdf
Central Bank_Cherokee, IA - Lyn Lundell, Director HCI_Case_Study_Central_Bank_Cherokee_IA_Lyn_Lundell.pdf
Farmers Savings Bank & Trust_Traer, IA - Cindy Blaine, Director HCI_Case_Study_FSBT_Traer_IA_Cindy_Blaine.pdf
First State Bank of Wabasha_Wabasha, MN - Diane Sandwick, Director HCI_Case_Study_First_State_Bank_of_Wabasha_Wabasha_MN_Diane_Sandwick.pdf
Security Bank_Dyersburg, TN - Dotty Jones, Director HCI_Case_Study_Security_Bank_Dyersburg_TN_Dotty_Jones.pdf
